Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA157
2009-05-15 08:22:00
SECRET
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE: GSE ACKNOWLEDGES HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN

Tags:  PREL MOPS PGOV PTER SO ER 
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O 150822Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0292
S E C R E T ASMARA 000157 


FOR A/S CARSON AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV PTER SO ER
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: GSE ACKNOWLEDGES HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN
SOMALIA, SEES ETHIOPIAN THREAT

REF: A. GAYTON HAMIEL E-MAIL 05/14/09

B. KNIGHT/TABLER-STONE TELCON 05/14/09

C. CARSON/TABLER-STONE TELCON 05/14/09


Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for reason 1.4(d)

S E C R E T ASMARA 000157


FOR A/S CARSON AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV PTER SO ER
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: GSE ACKNOWLEDGES HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN
SOMALIA, SEES ETHIOPIAN THREAT

REF: A. GAYTON HAMIEL E-MAIL 05/14/09

B. KNIGHT/TABLER-STONE TELCON 05/14/09

C. CARSON/TABLER-STONE TELCON 05/14/09


Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for reason 1.4(d)


1. (S) Charge delivered the demarche as instructed per
referenced conversations to Director General All Desks
Fessahazion Petros at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(roughly the "P" equivalent). After delivering the first two
objectives, the Charge then noted that in various exchanges
in recent months both governments had expressed a desire to
improve relations. She said Eritrea should take note of
recent U.S. efforts to reengage with unfriendly governments,
that President Obama is visionary in this regard and that now
is Eritrea's best opportunity for better relations. However,
if the GSE did not take the two specified actions, there
would be no "fresh start" to relations.


2. (S) Fessahazion said the Eritrean position on Somalia was
well known and the GSE took a different view of the way
forward on Somalia. He said the Somali people should be
given the opportunity to decide for themselves. He
characterized the international support for the Ethiopian
invasion of Somalia as a "pity" and said Ethiopian troops
remain on the border and will "strike every time they deem it
necessary." He acknowledged the humanitarian crisis and was
well versed in the numbers. The Charge pressed that a
ceasefire was necessary to both end the suffering and to
enable a political process to take place. Fessahazion said
Eritrea has "no authority over what is going on in Somalia."
The Charge replied that countries do call for cease-fires
whenever faced with conflicts in their regions, that this is
a normal diplomatic move, and that it is helpful.
Fessahazion said he would ensure the message would be
delivered to the "highest levels" and that he would inform
the Charge of the government's reply.


3. (S) Comment: Fessahazion was quick to bring Ethiopia into
the equation as their existential conflict with Ethiopia
colors every aspect of Eritrean foreign policy and is the
basis of their support for insurgent elements. The most
positive aspects of the exchange were that Fessahazion
expressed gratitude for this diplomatic exchange, which was
consistent with the GSE's desire to normalize discourse.
Also, that we found common ground on the desire to end human
suffering in Somalia, and finally, that he promised a reply
to the demarche (as most Embassy requests to the GSE are met
with silence). Post will advise the Department immediately
of any reply.


TABLER-STONE