Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA175
2009-06-11 09:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
U.S. RESIDENT ERITREANS THREATENED
how-toR 110911Z JUN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0310 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ COMUSNAVCENT DIA WASHDC FBI WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL NSC WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000175
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, DS/OFM,
DRL, AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2029
TAGS: ASEC PROP PREL PGOV ER PINS
SUBJECT: U.S. RESIDENT ERITREANS THREATENED
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000175
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, DS/OFM,
DRL, AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2029
TAGS: ASEC PROP PREL PGOV ER PINS
SUBJECT: U.S. RESIDENT ERITREANS THREATENED
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Private Eritreans residing in Oakland, California
continue to demand tax payments and threaten other Eritreans
on behalf of the GSE, according to a former FSN who recently
emigrated there. The center for these activities is the
Eritrean community center located at 5255 Claremont Ave,
Oakland, CA, (510) 652-1991. The recent immigrant said there
is a large schism between pro- and anti-government Eritreans
residing in the area. He thought at least 80 percent of the
community was not paying the 2% tax to the GSE, despite
demands from the pro-government faction. The taxes are
collected at the community center, referred to as "the
consulate." The source stated the Eritrean government is
trying to keep the money-collecting activities at the Oakland
center low-key to avoid attention. The source did not know
how the money was transferred to the GSE.
2. (C) Recently the anti-government faction held a fundraiser
to raise money to pay for housing, lawyer fees, etc. for
newly arrived undocumented Eritreans. The pro-GSE Eritreans
told the community not to attend the event, They threatened
to photograph everyone who showed up, send the photographs to
the GSE and have them arrested if they returned to Eritrea.
They also threatened to have their relatives still in Eritrea
arrested.
TABLER-STONE
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, DS/OFM,
DRL, AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2029
TAGS: ASEC PROP PREL PGOV ER PINS
SUBJECT: U.S. RESIDENT ERITREANS THREATENED
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Private Eritreans residing in Oakland, California
continue to demand tax payments and threaten other Eritreans
on behalf of the GSE, according to a former FSN who recently
emigrated there. The center for these activities is the
Eritrean community center located at 5255 Claremont Ave,
Oakland, CA, (510) 652-1991. The recent immigrant said there
is a large schism between pro- and anti-government Eritreans
residing in the area. He thought at least 80 percent of the
community was not paying the 2% tax to the GSE, despite
demands from the pro-government faction. The taxes are
collected at the community center, referred to as "the
consulate." The source stated the Eritrean government is
trying to keep the money-collecting activities at the Oakland
center low-key to avoid attention. The source did not know
how the money was transferred to the GSE.
2. (C) Recently the anti-government faction held a fundraiser
to raise money to pay for housing, lawyer fees, etc. for
newly arrived undocumented Eritreans. The pro-GSE Eritreans
told the community not to attend the event, They threatened
to photograph everyone who showed up, send the photographs to
the GSE and have them arrested if they returned to Eritrea.
They also threatened to have their relatives still in Eritrea
arrested.
TABLER-STONE