Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA185
2009-06-18 13:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
UN SECURITY OFFICER CONCERNS OVER CRIME AND WATER
how-toR 181351Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0320 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ COMUSNAVCENT DIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000185
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AND AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
USAID FOR GEORGIANNA PLATT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2029
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PINS ER
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY OFFICER CONCERNS OVER CRIME AND WATER
IN ASMARA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000185
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AND AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
USAID FOR GEORGIANNA PLATT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2029
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PINS ER
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY OFFICER CONCERNS OVER CRIME AND WATER
IN ASMARA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) The UN security officer told RSO he is concerned about
the rise in crime in Asmara. Recently, he has instructed all
UN personnel to avoid walking in Asmara, even during daylight
hours. He is also upgrading residential security at all
houses to include grills and 24/7 residential guard coverage.
He said $7,000 was stolen from a safe at the UNHCR building
after hours in the beginning of June. The burglary appeared
to be an inside job as the safe and the doors to the office
showed no signs of forced entry. Also this month, a UNICEF
program officer's laptop and memory stick were stolen from
her office after hours. The security officer stated he felt
this burglary was carried out by local staff at the behest of
the GSE. Both items had data for UN reports on street
children, human rights abuses, and water/food shortages in
Eritrea. He said the theft of memory sticks and laptops is
increasing at UN facilities. His local employees (who are
well paid by Eritrean standards) are feeling the effects of
the rise in food prices and are starting to steal more from
UN facilities to survive.
2. (C) The GSE is evicting UNICEF from its government-owned
building without explanation. The security officer recently
approved UNICEF relocating to an apartment building across
the street from the RSO residence. The GSE still refuses to
give UN agencies diesel fuel, a situation that has persisted
for more than 14 months. The UN currently has only 3,000
liters of diesel, which is rationed to extend its use.
During some of the recent long power outages, the UN has had
to shut down building operations to conserve fuel. UN
residences are purchasing water from water trucks for
residential use. Most of their residences have only small
water tanks and he is concerned about the future availability
of water if the drought in Eritrea continues.
3. (SBU) Comment: Post continues to see an increase in crime
as economic conditions in Asmara continue to deteriorate,
water/food/fuel shortages persist, and unemployment
increases. Post is still able to purchase water for embassy
use, but that is becoming increasingly more difficult.
MCMULLEN
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AND AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
USAID FOR GEORGIANNA PLATT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2029
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PINS ER
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY OFFICER CONCERNS OVER CRIME AND WATER
IN ASMARA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) The UN security officer told RSO he is concerned about
the rise in crime in Asmara. Recently, he has instructed all
UN personnel to avoid walking in Asmara, even during daylight
hours. He is also upgrading residential security at all
houses to include grills and 24/7 residential guard coverage.
He said $7,000 was stolen from a safe at the UNHCR building
after hours in the beginning of June. The burglary appeared
to be an inside job as the safe and the doors to the office
showed no signs of forced entry. Also this month, a UNICEF
program officer's laptop and memory stick were stolen from
her office after hours. The security officer stated he felt
this burglary was carried out by local staff at the behest of
the GSE. Both items had data for UN reports on street
children, human rights abuses, and water/food shortages in
Eritrea. He said the theft of memory sticks and laptops is
increasing at UN facilities. His local employees (who are
well paid by Eritrean standards) are feeling the effects of
the rise in food prices and are starting to steal more from
UN facilities to survive.
2. (C) The GSE is evicting UNICEF from its government-owned
building without explanation. The security officer recently
approved UNICEF relocating to an apartment building across
the street from the RSO residence. The GSE still refuses to
give UN agencies diesel fuel, a situation that has persisted
for more than 14 months. The UN currently has only 3,000
liters of diesel, which is rationed to extend its use.
During some of the recent long power outages, the UN has had
to shut down building operations to conserve fuel. UN
residences are purchasing water from water trucks for
residential use. Most of their residences have only small
water tanks and he is concerned about the future availability
of water if the drought in Eritrea continues.
3. (SBU) Comment: Post continues to see an increase in crime
as economic conditions in Asmara continue to deteriorate,
water/food/fuel shortages persist, and unemployment
increases. Post is still able to purchase water for embassy
use, but that is becoming increasingly more difficult.
MCMULLEN