Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA261
2009-08-07 07:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ISAIAS PUSHES ITALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR MORE
how-toR 070745Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0419 INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL SECDEF WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ NSC WASHDC COMUSNAVCENT CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000261
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2019
TAGS: PREL ER SO IT
SUBJECT: ISAIAS PUSHES ITALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR MORE
INVESTMENT; REITERATES FLAT DENIAL ON SOMALIA
Classified By: Amb. Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000261
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2019
TAGS: PREL ER SO IT
SUBJECT: ISAIAS PUSHES ITALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR MORE
INVESTMENT; REITERATES FLAT DENIAL ON SOMALIA
Classified By: Amb. Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director
General for Sub-Saharan Africa, Giuseppe Morabito, visited
Asmara the week of July 27. According to an Italian embassy
source, Morabito obtained a last-minute meeting with
President Isaias on Friday. The president made a strong push
for greater Italian investment in Eritrea, citing the
longstanding special relationship between the two countries.
Isaias, in keeping with his policy of economic self-reliance,
stressed that business investment is preferable to economic
assistance. On political issues, the two talked very
generally about Eritrea's role and agreed to start a dialogue
on regional issues. On Somalia, Isaias clung to the Flat
Denial and reiterated his view that Eritrea has a right to
its own position on bringing peace and governance to Somalia.
Both sides expressed the desire to "start talking more
deeply." This was the first visit by a senior Italian
official since 2006.
2. (C) The ambassador also met with Morabito on July 31. The
ambassador described our efforts to reach out to Isaias and
persuade him to abandon support for Somali extremists.
Morabito asked if we had set preconditions for better
relations. The ambassador replied that President Obama had
expressed a desire for better relations, but in conversations
with senior regime officials we had stressed that GSE support
to al Shabaab was a barrier to that goal.
MCMULLEN
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2019
TAGS: PREL ER SO IT
SUBJECT: ISAIAS PUSHES ITALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR MORE
INVESTMENT; REITERATES FLAT DENIAL ON SOMALIA
Classified By: Amb. Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director
General for Sub-Saharan Africa, Giuseppe Morabito, visited
Asmara the week of July 27. According to an Italian embassy
source, Morabito obtained a last-minute meeting with
President Isaias on Friday. The president made a strong push
for greater Italian investment in Eritrea, citing the
longstanding special relationship between the two countries.
Isaias, in keeping with his policy of economic self-reliance,
stressed that business investment is preferable to economic
assistance. On political issues, the two talked very
generally about Eritrea's role and agreed to start a dialogue
on regional issues. On Somalia, Isaias clung to the Flat
Denial and reiterated his view that Eritrea has a right to
its own position on bringing peace and governance to Somalia.
Both sides expressed the desire to "start talking more
deeply." This was the first visit by a senior Italian
official since 2006.
2. (C) The ambassador also met with Morabito on July 31. The
ambassador described our efforts to reach out to Isaias and
persuade him to abandon support for Somali extremists.
Morabito asked if we had set preconditions for better
relations. The ambassador replied that President Obama had
expressed a desire for better relations, but in conversations
with senior regime officials we had stressed that GSE support
to al Shabaab was a barrier to that goal.
MCMULLEN