Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA2663
2009-11-12 05:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA: INFORMATION ON SECURITY DIALOGUES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHDS #2663 3160550 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 120550Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6786 INFO RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002663
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR PM:CHRISTOPHER PETRONE, ALSO AF/E, AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASEC MARR ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: INFORMATION ON SECURITY DIALOGUES
REF: STATE 112900
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002663
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR PM:CHRISTOPHER PETRONE, ALSO AF/E, AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASEC MARR ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: INFORMATION ON SECURITY DIALOGUES
REF: STATE 112900
1. (U) Per reftel request, this cable provides information on
security dialogues between the USG and the Government of
Ethiopia (GoE).
2. (SBU) Security dialogue between Embassy Addis Ababa and
the GoE primarily occurs between the U.S. Defense Attache
Office (DAO) and the Ethiopian military. Civilian agencies
at post do engage Ethiopian military entities, but such
contact is coordinated with or channeled through DAO. DAO
maintains regular working-level contact (on at least a weekly
basis) with various branches of the Ethiopian military,
including military intelligence, to discuss operational
issues involving joint programs. The U.S. Defense Attache
generally speaks with Ethiopian Chief of Defense Forces
General Samora at least once a month. This dialogue is
productive and dynamic, allowing for discussion of new ideas
and areas of cooperation, which are often developed into
joint programs.
3. (SBU) While the U.S. maintains active military-to-military
engagement with Ethiopia, the U.S. provides significantly
less military assistance, and receives less access, than
China, Russia, and Israel. The UK and Italy provide levels
of assistance similar to the U.S. In the last six months,
the U.S.-Ethiopia security relationship has become more
difficult as a result of the Ethiopian military's frustration
with U.S. human rights vetting requirements, which they view
as a hurdle to security cooperation that they do not face
from their three main military partners.
4. (SBU) Post's Regional Security Office (RSO) routinely
discusses Mission security concerns with Ethiopia's Federal
Police, engaging the police as needed, but generally not less
than once a quarter. Ethiopian police are responsive to RSO
concerns. The Embassy's Pol/Econ section routinely engages
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials regarding a range of
external security concerns, including Somalia, Sudan, and
Eritrea.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR PM:CHRISTOPHER PETRONE, ALSO AF/E, AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASEC MARR ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: INFORMATION ON SECURITY DIALOGUES
REF: STATE 112900
1. (U) Per reftel request, this cable provides information on
security dialogues between the USG and the Government of
Ethiopia (GoE).
2. (SBU) Security dialogue between Embassy Addis Ababa and
the GoE primarily occurs between the U.S. Defense Attache
Office (DAO) and the Ethiopian military. Civilian agencies
at post do engage Ethiopian military entities, but such
contact is coordinated with or channeled through DAO. DAO
maintains regular working-level contact (on at least a weekly
basis) with various branches of the Ethiopian military,
including military intelligence, to discuss operational
issues involving joint programs. The U.S. Defense Attache
generally speaks with Ethiopian Chief of Defense Forces
General Samora at least once a month. This dialogue is
productive and dynamic, allowing for discussion of new ideas
and areas of cooperation, which are often developed into
joint programs.
3. (SBU) While the U.S. maintains active military-to-military
engagement with Ethiopia, the U.S. provides significantly
less military assistance, and receives less access, than
China, Russia, and Israel. The UK and Italy provide levels
of assistance similar to the U.S. In the last six months,
the U.S.-Ethiopia security relationship has become more
difficult as a result of the Ethiopian military's frustration
with U.S. human rights vetting requirements, which they view
as a hurdle to security cooperation that they do not face
from their three main military partners.
4. (SBU) Post's Regional Security Office (RSO) routinely
discusses Mission security concerns with Ethiopia's Federal
Police, engaging the police as needed, but generally not less
than once a quarter. Ethiopian police are responsive to RSO
concerns. The Embassy's Pol/Econ section routinely engages
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials regarding a range of
external security concerns, including Somalia, Sudan, and
Eritrea.
MEECE