Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA219
2009-07-09 11:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
GSE DEMANDS FOREIGN CURRENCY FROM FOREIGN VISITORS
how-toVZCZCXRO8447 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0219 1901100 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 091100Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0360 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS ASMARA 000219
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND EEB/CIP/BA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE DEMANDS FOREIGN CURRENCY FROM FOREIGN VISITORS
UNCLAS ASMARA 000219
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND EEB/CIP/BA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE DEMANDS FOREIGN CURRENCY FROM FOREIGN VISITORS
1. (SBU) GSE-owned establishments have increased their demand for
hard currency from foreign patrons. When the GSE re-opened the
Asmara Palace Hotel (formerly the Intercontinental) it required
guests traveling on foreign passports to pay in U.S. dollars,
British pounds, or euros (and only gave change back in nakfa). Now
resident Americans tell us Sembel Hospital and GSE ration stores are
demanding dollars or other hard currency, even if patrons are
Eritrean citizens who also hold a foreign passport. (Note: it is
illegal for Eritreans to hold foreign currency.) Diplomatic
missions with bank accounts in Eritrea have also had difficulty in
withdrawing their money in foreign currency. The GSE often requires
lengthy paperwork and detailed explanations as to why the mission is
withdrawing hard currency.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: This move by the GSE is another indication of its
desperation for hard currency to fund fuel and foodstuff imports.
For the second year in a row, summer visitors from the diaspora
appear to have declined, depleting one of the GSE's ready sources of
foreign exchange.
MCMULLEN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND EEB/CIP/BA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE DEMANDS FOREIGN CURRENCY FROM FOREIGN VISITORS
1. (SBU) GSE-owned establishments have increased their demand for
hard currency from foreign patrons. When the GSE re-opened the
Asmara Palace Hotel (formerly the Intercontinental) it required
guests traveling on foreign passports to pay in U.S. dollars,
British pounds, or euros (and only gave change back in nakfa). Now
resident Americans tell us Sembel Hospital and GSE ration stores are
demanding dollars or other hard currency, even if patrons are
Eritrean citizens who also hold a foreign passport. (Note: it is
illegal for Eritreans to hold foreign currency.) Diplomatic
missions with bank accounts in Eritrea have also had difficulty in
withdrawing their money in foreign currency. The GSE often requires
lengthy paperwork and detailed explanations as to why the mission is
withdrawing hard currency.
2. (SBU) COMMENT: This move by the GSE is another indication of its
desperation for hard currency to fund fuel and foodstuff imports.
For the second year in a row, summer visitors from the diaspora
appear to have declined, depleting one of the GSE's ready sources of
foreign exchange.
MCMULLEN