Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA95
2008-02-25 08:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
GSE INTERNAL DEBATE OVER SAWA
how-toVZCZCXRO6124 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0095 0560841 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 250841Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9472 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000095
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PHUM MOPS PINR ER
SUBJECT: GSE INTERNAL DEBATE OVER SAWA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000095
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PHUM MOPS PINR ER
SUBJECT: GSE INTERNAL DEBATE OVER SAWA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) High-ranking Eritrean officials are said to be
debating which ministry should provide funding for Sawa
Secondary School, a government-run boarding school/military
camp located in the Gash Barka region near the Sudanese
border. The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE)
requires all Eritrean high school students to complete their
final year of study at Sawa; mandatory courses include
military training prior to the start of classes.
Historically, the Ministry of Defense funded the school
because the seventy-five percent of students unable to pass
the matriculation exam required to continue studies at the
university level were drafted into the military.
2. (C) In 2004, the GSE started providing vocational training
to most students who did not pass the matriculation exam,
reducing the number of new bodies available for military
service immediately after commencement. The Minister of
Defense reportedly wanted to pass responsibility for funding
the school to the Ministry of Education, which has balked due
to lack of funds. Debate also included possibly closing the
school, either after this term or after the next class
scheduled to arrive in summer 2008.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PHUM MOPS PINR ER
SUBJECT: GSE INTERNAL DEBATE OVER SAWA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) High-ranking Eritrean officials are said to be
debating which ministry should provide funding for Sawa
Secondary School, a government-run boarding school/military
camp located in the Gash Barka region near the Sudanese
border. The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE)
requires all Eritrean high school students to complete their
final year of study at Sawa; mandatory courses include
military training prior to the start of classes.
Historically, the Ministry of Defense funded the school
because the seventy-five percent of students unable to pass
the matriculation exam required to continue studies at the
university level were drafted into the military.
2. (C) In 2004, the GSE started providing vocational training
to most students who did not pass the matriculation exam,
reducing the number of new bodies available for military
service immediately after commencement. The Minister of
Defense reportedly wanted to pass responsibility for funding
the school to the Ministry of Education, which has balked due
to lack of funds. Debate also included possibly closing the
school, either after this term or after the next class
scheduled to arrive in summer 2008.
MCMULLEN