Ethiopian Stowaway Detained in U.S.

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001451

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG AND AF/RSA
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC AEIR ET
SUBJECT: Ethiopian Stowaway Detained in U.S.


1. (SBU) Action Request and Summary: Embassy requests guidance,
update and information to allow us to respond to an official
diplomatic note from the Ethiopian Government (GOE) demanding the
immediate return of an Ethiopian stowaway, Asfaw Mekonnen, an
official of the Ethiopian National Intelligence Security Service,
who has been detained in the U.S. since June 6. Based on e-mail
instructions from Embassy Rome and the Department, we have told
Ethiopian officials, including Prime Minister Meles, that we cannot
make any comments and we will inform the GOE once we have news from
Washington. We have passed a demarche cable from Embassy Rome to the
GOE on the necessity to ensure tight security to prevent stowaways
and putting Ethiopian Aviation Authority's security in jeopardy. End
Action Request and Summary


2. (SBU)Embassy received an official diplomatic note from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on June 8 (e-mailed to Department
and all concerned) requesting the immediate return of an Ethiopian
stowaway, Asfaw Mekonnen, who was caught at Dulles Airport,
Washington, D.C., in the cargo bay of an Ethiopian airliner from
Addis Ababa on June 6. Ambassador has received numerous enquiries
from the MFA and frequent calls from the National Intelligence and
Security Service (NISS) on the status of the return of Mekonnen to
Ethiopia. NISS deputy Essayes called on the Ambassador June 8,
stating that Mekonnen is a low level NISS officer working on airport
security. His return to Ethiopia for arrest will send a clear
message to others that such actions will not be tolerated. In
compliance with Embassy Rome, the Ambassador delivered a demarche to
Prime Minister Meles on June 15 underscoring the importance of
airport security and checking airplanes before departure for
possible stowaways.

3.(SBU) Thus far, we have not replied to the diplomatic note and
seek the Department's information on how to respond. We have replied
to phone enquiries from the MFA and NISS that we cannot comment on
this case and that once we have information we will keep the GOE
informed. We believe the stowaway remains in detention, but we seek
the Department's guidance and update on this case and what can be
conveyed to the GOE. To Prime Minister Meles, the Ambassador added
that the U.S. and Ethiopia are still processing for deportation to
Ethiopia nearly 2,000 Ethiopians being detained or formerly detained
in U.S. prisons for various crimes. This has been a very slow
process, and the Ambassador pointed out bureaucratic obstacles from
the Ethiopian side.
YAMAMOTO