Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA13
2009-01-08 14:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ERITREANS REFOULED FROM EGYPT SPOTTED ON
how-toVZCZCXRO2844 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0013 0081444 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 081444Z JAN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0099 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000013
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2018
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM EG ER
SUBJECT: ERITREANS REFOULED FROM EGYPT SPOTTED ON
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS
REF: 08 ASMARA 324
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000013
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2018
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM EG ER
SUBJECT: ERITREANS REFOULED FROM EGYPT SPOTTED ON
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS
REF: 08 ASMARA 324
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (SBU) Two separate groups of Eritreans recently refouled
from Egypt were spotted on commercial flights landing in
Asmara. Emboff noticed approximately 25 Eritrean males
between the ages of 25 and 30 grouped in the rear of an
EgyptAir flight bound for Eritrea on Sunday January 4. A
UNICEF employee reported a similar sighting the week before,
except the group consisted of all females. In both instances
several Egyptian security officers guarded the Eritreans, who
sat in the rear of the plane, separated from the rest of the
passengers. Upon landing in Asmara, the returnees were
whisked through customs and boarded a bus accompanied by
Eritrean security officers.
2. (C) As in the June 2008 scenario (reftel),the Egyptian
Embassy has denied Cairo's involvement altogether, ensuring
Emboffs that all Eritrean asylum seekers are being allowed to
pursue their cases.
2. (C) COMMENT: The manner and style of the refoulment is
vastly different from the June episodes. The Eritreans were
flown directly into Asmara on regularly scheduled flights
rather than to Massawa on special charter flights. To date,
the GSE has not publicized the return of these groups from
Egypt. End Comment.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2018
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM EG ER
SUBJECT: ERITREANS REFOULED FROM EGYPT SPOTTED ON
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS
REF: 08 ASMARA 324
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (SBU) Two separate groups of Eritreans recently refouled
from Egypt were spotted on commercial flights landing in
Asmara. Emboff noticed approximately 25 Eritrean males
between the ages of 25 and 30 grouped in the rear of an
EgyptAir flight bound for Eritrea on Sunday January 4. A
UNICEF employee reported a similar sighting the week before,
except the group consisted of all females. In both instances
several Egyptian security officers guarded the Eritreans, who
sat in the rear of the plane, separated from the rest of the
passengers. Upon landing in Asmara, the returnees were
whisked through customs and boarded a bus accompanied by
Eritrean security officers.
2. (C) As in the June 2008 scenario (reftel),the Egyptian
Embassy has denied Cairo's involvement altogether, ensuring
Emboffs that all Eritrean asylum seekers are being allowed to
pursue their cases.
2. (C) COMMENT: The manner and style of the refoulment is
vastly different from the June episodes. The Eritreans were
flown directly into Asmara on regularly scheduled flights
rather than to Massawa on special charter flights. To date,
the GSE has not publicized the return of these groups from
Egypt. End Comment.
MCMULLEN