Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA169
2009-06-04 12:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

GSE DEPORTS ETHIOPIANS, SHRUGS OFF ICRC

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM ET ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0304
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
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RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000169 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ET ER
SUBJECT: GSE DEPORTS ETHIOPIANS, SHRUGS OFF ICRC

REF: ASMARA 138

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000169

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ET ER
SUBJECT: GSE DEPORTS ETHIOPIANS, SHRUGS OFF ICRC

REF: ASMARA 138

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


1. (C) The GSE has begun deporting Ethiopians by the busload
after cutting off support for the ICRC repatriation program
(reftel). According to the ICRC deputy head of protection
(please protect),the GSE has so far deported three
mini-busloads of 15-30 Ethiopian passengers each, two in May
and one in April. The mini-buses traveled west to the border
city of Tessenei and then south to the town of Omhager, which
borders both Sudan and Ethiopia. The Ethiopians were then
"set loose," to cross either into Ethiopia or Sudan.
Although the GSE claimed it deported only Ethiopians who
volunteered to return, the problems with this method were
numerous, she continued. The Ethiopians did not have any
paperwork when they were deported. Those crossing into Sudan
did so illegally and those crossing into Ethiopia faced the
risk they would not be recognized by Ethiopian troops and
could have faced imprisonment or gunfire. The GSE sent the
deportees to the border with nothing but the clothes on their
backs. (Note: During the ICRC repatriations, a group of 400
repatriates would be accompanied by "20 truckloads" of
luggage, allowing the Ethiopians to have at least a modest
beginning in their homeland). Finally, unlike the
free-of-charge ICRC program, the GSE required the deportees
to pay for the transport as well as food and shelter along
the way.


2. (C) The GSE decision to deport Ethiopians began as a
result of the Ethiopian government's (GOE) twice cancelling
scheduled ICRC repatriations, one in November last year and
one in March, she stated. Although the ICRC representative
attributed the cancellation to an administrative error on the
part of the GOE, she suspected that the GSE will not resume
formal repatriation efforts even if the GOE requested
restarting the program. Additionally, the GSE is strongly
considering whether or not it needs the ICRC presence, she
continued. She believed the GSE will make a decision in the
next three to four months as to whether or not it will
tolerate the organization in country. Ordinarily, the ICRC
would engage third parties, such as embassies and NGOs, to
lobby on its behalf. The GSE, however, "does not respect any
other entity." Any outside lobbying would likely only make
the situation worse.


3. (C) She also estimated that the GSE had rounded up more
than 500 resident Ethiopians in the run-up to the May 24
Liberation Day celebration. Last year, the GSE held the
Ethiopians in a transit center, requiring Eritrean
"guarantors" to sign for bail. Those who had no guarantors
were held a few days longer and were released if they could
pay the 500 nakfa annual renewal fee for their residency
permits, plus any additional fees and penalties. She
believed the Ethiopians detained this year face a similar
process.


4. (C) COMMENT: It is not likely the GSE will backtrack and
allow the ICRC to continue its repatriation program.
Although the representative seemed hopeful that negotiations
would continue for the next "three to four months," the ICRC
has already distributed a list of 20 local employees it has
laid off as a result of its reduced responsibilities.
TABLER-STONE