Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA153
2009-05-12 12:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

GSE WARNS AGAINST "UNAUTHORIZED CELEBRATIONS"

Tags:  PROP PREL PGOV ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0006
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAE #0153 1321238
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADX0068A00B VSG0788)
R 121237Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0288
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1694
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1866
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
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"

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