GSE WARNS AGAINST "UNAUTHORIZED CELEBRATIONS"

UNCLAS ASMARA 000153 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDING ADDRESSEES) SENSITIVE SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PROP PREL PGOV ER SUBJECT: GSE WARNS AGAINST "UNAUTHORIZED CELEBRATIONS" ¶1. (SBU) The Eritrean Embassy in Washington, D.C. reportedly distributed a notice on April 29 warning Eritrean citizens in the United States to not partake in "unauthorized" celebrations for the upcoming Liberation Day, May 24, according to the opposition website www.assenna.com. The website displays an image of the document, which appears to be typed on embassy letterhead and signed by the Office of Community Affairs. The Tigrinya-language notice labels efforts to hold separate celebrations as a plot to divide the Eritrean community. The letter also states that only the Eritrean Embassy has the authority to organize a Liberation Day celebration. The notice is addressed to "The Atlanta Organizing Committee." ¶2. (SBU) The second paragraph of the letter translates as follows: This year, some people are organizing a separate celebration. Therefore, this celebration is going to be divided in two. Some of the people organizing the separate celebration are telling the people that they are sanctioned by the Embassy of Eritrea, but since these people never asked the organizing committee, we did not give permission for them to do so. If there is any need for them, they should help the national organization instead of holding a separate celebration and dividing the people. And this is not accepted by any circumstances. The only celebration recognized is the one done by the organizing committee and if there is any other celebration, we do not recognize it. And we advise the people not to be fooled by these separationists. Victory to the Masses Office of Community Affairs Eritrean Embassy MCMULLEN