Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA260
2009-08-07 07:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ERITREA CONFISCATES YEMENI FISHING BOATS
how-toP 070715Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0418 INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY SANAA CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC NSC WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000260
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2019
TAGS: PREL EFIS ER YM
SUBJECT: ERITREA CONFISCATES YEMENI FISHING BOATS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000260
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2019
TAGS: PREL EFIS ER YM
SUBJECT: ERITREA CONFISCATES YEMENI FISHING BOATS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d)
1. (SBU) Eritrean maritime authorities have recently seized a
number of Yemeni fishing vessels allegedly fishing illegally
in Eritrean waters. The crewmembers are jailed in Massawa
until their companies or relatives pay a sizable fine, then
they are released to make their way back to Yemen. Eritrea
confiscates the boats, equipment, catch, and fuel, according
Yemeni Ambassador Abdulkader Mohamed Hadi. Sometimes the
Yemeni boats are clearly in Eritrean waters ("because there
are so many fish there," one captain told Hadi) while in
other instances the location of the seizure is arguably in
international waters.
2. (C) The Yemeni ambassador is extremely upset with
Eritrean authorities for not even informing his embassy when
they seize a Yemeni boat and crew. The Yemeni embassy has no
consular access to imprisoned crewmembers and only finds out
about such instances when Yemeni companies or families
complain. When there is an open question whether a Yemeni
boat may have been seized in international waters, Ambassador
Hadi said that Eritrean Navy commander Karikare is the only
official who will talk to him in an attempt to resolve the
issue. "Karikare is a good guy-he spent 6 or 7 years during
the Struggle in Yemen and knows us well," he said.
3. (C) COMMENT: Besides safeguarding Eritrea's marine
resources, the regime is concerned about black market
currency being smuggled across the southern Red Sea. The
market rate for the Nakfa is just one-third its official
rate, so smugglers of cheap Nakfa from Yemen can get a
two-thirds discount on anything in Eritrea (not that there's
much to buy). Having been targeted by Eritrea Islamic Jihad
in past years, regime leaders also want to deter would-be
jihadists from entering the country by boat from Yemen. With
tens of thousands of young Eritreans risking everything to
flee Isaias' open-air prison, the Eritrean Navy may be
attempting to shut down this escape route for those who are
seeking a better life in Yemen or beyond.
MCMULLEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2019
TAGS: PREL EFIS ER YM
SUBJECT: ERITREA CONFISCATES YEMENI FISHING BOATS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d)
1. (SBU) Eritrean maritime authorities have recently seized a
number of Yemeni fishing vessels allegedly fishing illegally
in Eritrean waters. The crewmembers are jailed in Massawa
until their companies or relatives pay a sizable fine, then
they are released to make their way back to Yemen. Eritrea
confiscates the boats, equipment, catch, and fuel, according
Yemeni Ambassador Abdulkader Mohamed Hadi. Sometimes the
Yemeni boats are clearly in Eritrean waters ("because there
are so many fish there," one captain told Hadi) while in
other instances the location of the seizure is arguably in
international waters.
2. (C) The Yemeni ambassador is extremely upset with
Eritrean authorities for not even informing his embassy when
they seize a Yemeni boat and crew. The Yemeni embassy has no
consular access to imprisoned crewmembers and only finds out
about such instances when Yemeni companies or families
complain. When there is an open question whether a Yemeni
boat may have been seized in international waters, Ambassador
Hadi said that Eritrean Navy commander Karikare is the only
official who will talk to him in an attempt to resolve the
issue. "Karikare is a good guy-he spent 6 or 7 years during
the Struggle in Yemen and knows us well," he said.
3. (C) COMMENT: Besides safeguarding Eritrea's marine
resources, the regime is concerned about black market
currency being smuggled across the southern Red Sea. The
market rate for the Nakfa is just one-third its official
rate, so smugglers of cheap Nakfa from Yemen can get a
two-thirds discount on anything in Eritrea (not that there's
much to buy). Having been targeted by Eritrea Islamic Jihad
in past years, regime leaders also want to deter would-be
jihadists from entering the country by boat from Yemen. With
tens of thousands of young Eritreans risking everything to
flee Isaias' open-air prison, the Eritrean Navy may be
attempting to shut down this escape route for those who are
seeking a better life in Yemen or beyond.
MCMULLEN