Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA565
2008-12-01 09:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
REGIONAL MEETING ON FOOD SHORTAGES AND CRIME IN
how-toR 010920Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0033 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJQBQUTI AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ COMUSNAVCENT DIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL NSC WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000565
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, INR,
AF/E, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2028
TAGS: ASEC ER PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: REGIONAL MEETING ON FOOD SHORTAGES AND CRIME IN
ASMARA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000565
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, INR,
AF/E, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2028
TAGS: ASEC ER PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: REGIONAL MEETING ON FOOD SHORTAGES AND CRIME IN
ASMARA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) During a community meeting with regional
administrators in the village of Adi Segodo (located
approximately 3 miles NW of Asmara) on 11/23/08, local
residents asked the administrator for increased rations,
stating the 10 kilos of sorghum per month was not enough to
feed their families. An embassy locally engaged staff member
attended this meeting and said the audience members were
extremely angry and hostile towards the Eritrean government
officials. The administrator told the group of 2000
assembled residents of this area that the Eritrean government
has been unable to buy larger quantities of sorghum and other
staples from Sudan, because the USG has purchased all of the
available quantities at inflated prices. The administrator
also stated all of the food and economic problems in Eritrea
are due to the actions of the USG and that the assembled
group "must hate the American government and the American
people."
2. (C) The zoba administrator said there has been a marked
increase in crime in Asmara and the Adi Segodo region, with
over 500 reported criminal acts in this small region in the
last month, over 150 of which were violent crimes. He said
all residents must call the police if they witness or are the
victims of any crimQ.Q
3. (C) PoQtQComments: The effects of food shortages and
increased levels of crime continue to be seen in Asmara.
Post has not corroborated this information, but continues to
hear comments from local residents that the Eritrean
government publicly scapegoats the USG for all of the
problems in Eritrea.
MCMULLEN
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, INR,
AF/E, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2028
TAGS: ASEC ER PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: REGIONAL MEETING ON FOOD SHORTAGES AND CRIME IN
ASMARA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) During a community meeting with regional
administrators in the village of Adi Segodo (located
approximately 3 miles NW of Asmara) on 11/23/08, local
residents asked the administrator for increased rations,
stating the 10 kilos of sorghum per month was not enough to
feed their families. An embassy locally engaged staff member
attended this meeting and said the audience members were
extremely angry and hostile towards the Eritrean government
officials. The administrator told the group of 2000
assembled residents of this area that the Eritrean government
has been unable to buy larger quantities of sorghum and other
staples from Sudan, because the USG has purchased all of the
available quantities at inflated prices. The administrator
also stated all of the food and economic problems in Eritrea
are due to the actions of the USG and that the assembled
group "must hate the American government and the American
people."
2. (C) The zoba administrator said there has been a marked
increase in crime in Asmara and the Adi Segodo region, with
over 500 reported criminal acts in this small region in the
last month, over 150 of which were violent crimes. He said
all residents must call the police if they witness or are the
victims of any crimQ.Q
3. (C) PoQtQComments: The effects of food shortages and
increased levels of crime continue to be seen in Asmara.
Post has not corroborated this information, but continues to
hear comments from local residents that the Eritrean
government publicly scapegoats the USG for all of the
problems in Eritrea.
MCMULLEN