Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA207
2009-06-30 13:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ERITREA SLAMS U.S. SOMALIA POLICY
how-toVZCZCXRO2497 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0207 1811332 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 301332Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0349 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000207
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ER SO
SUBJECT: ERITREA SLAMS U.S. SOMALIA POLICY
REF: ASMARA 187
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000207
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ER SO
SUBJECT: ERITREA SLAMS U.S. SOMALIA POLICY
REF: ASMARA 187
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (SBU) The Eritrean government (GSE) has criticized the USG
for its financial support to the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG). In a June 26 press release, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs referred to the TFG as a "government that
is devoid of any legitimacy." The statement also said "US
misguided acts of intervention and supply of weapons have
not, in the past years, advanced the cause of stability in
Somalia. A repeat of those measures will not produce
positive results but only aggravate and prolong the crisis."
2. (SBU) The MFA released the statement on the GSE's official
website, shabait.com and published it in the June 27 Eritrea
Profile. On June 29, the ministry also circulated it to all
diplomatic missions in Asmara under the cover of a diplomatic
note.
3. (SBU) Comment: The statement represents the strongest and
most direct criticism of USG foreign policy since the
inauguration of President Obama. Up until this point, the
GSE had avoided direct criticism of the administration by
instead blaming subversive elements within the USG or calling
our officials' credentials into question. Since the IGAD
vote to sanction Eritrea, however, the rhetoric has increased
and focused directly on Somalia.
4. (C) Comment continued: The GSE is attempting to seize the
moral high ground on the Somalia issue by denying its own
involvement, labeling the TFG as illegitimate, and implying
that the U.S. continues to be unjustifiably obsessed with
Islamist extremism. President Isaias's tacit refusal to date
to accept a call from the Secretary and rejection of a visit
from A/S Carson may reflect this heightened Eritrean foreign
policy focus on Somalia.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ER SO
SUBJECT: ERITREA SLAMS U.S. SOMALIA POLICY
REF: ASMARA 187
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (SBU) The Eritrean government (GSE) has criticized the USG
for its financial support to the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG). In a June 26 press release, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs referred to the TFG as a "government that
is devoid of any legitimacy." The statement also said "US
misguided acts of intervention and supply of weapons have
not, in the past years, advanced the cause of stability in
Somalia. A repeat of those measures will not produce
positive results but only aggravate and prolong the crisis."
2. (SBU) The MFA released the statement on the GSE's official
website, shabait.com and published it in the June 27 Eritrea
Profile. On June 29, the ministry also circulated it to all
diplomatic missions in Asmara under the cover of a diplomatic
note.
3. (SBU) Comment: The statement represents the strongest and
most direct criticism of USG foreign policy since the
inauguration of President Obama. Up until this point, the
GSE had avoided direct criticism of the administration by
instead blaming subversive elements within the USG or calling
our officials' credentials into question. Since the IGAD
vote to sanction Eritrea, however, the rhetoric has increased
and focused directly on Somalia.
4. (C) Comment continued: The GSE is attempting to seize the
moral high ground on the Somalia issue by denying its own
involvement, labeling the TFG as illegitimate, and implying
that the U.S. continues to be unjustifiably obsessed with
Islamist extremism. President Isaias's tacit refusal to date
to accept a call from the Secretary and rejection of a visit
from A/S Carson may reflect this heightened Eritrean foreign
policy focus on Somalia.
MCMULLEN