Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA28
2009-01-26 08:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ERITREAN MILITARY SITUATION NEAR BADME
how-toR 260847Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0117 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ COMUSNAVCENT DIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL SECDEF WASHDC NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000028
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, INR,
AF/E LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2029
TAGS: MOPS ASEC PGOV ER
SUBJECT: ERITREAN MILITARY SITUATION NEAR BADME
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000028
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, INR,
AF/E LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2029
TAGS: MOPS ASEC PGOV ER
SUBJECT: ERITREAN MILITARY SITUATION NEAR BADME
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Living conditions and morale are poor for the military
stationed near Badme, according to a source whose son is on
leave from his assignment with the 21st Tanks unit (NFI) in
that area. The son stated the soldiers are fed three meager
meals per day, two consisting only of a piece of bread and
the third a small bowl of sorghum porridge and another piece
of bread. Morale is extremely low in his unit and the
officers have ordered the soldiers not to listen to Eritrean
or foreign radio broadcasts because they do not want the them
to hear the Eritrean government refused to grant a pay raise
to the military. The son estimated at least 10 soldiers per
month are deserting from his unit and fleeing to Ethiopia.
2. (C) The son stated there have been no recent skirmishes
between Eritrean and Ethiopian forces, but the Eritrean
military is concerned over the growing number of attacks in
this region by the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
Eritrean Kunama (DMLEK). He also stated the tanks and
weapons in his unit are operational and they continue to
train.
MCMULLEN
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, INR,
AF/E LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2029
TAGS: MOPS ASEC PGOV ER
SUBJECT: ERITREAN MILITARY SITUATION NEAR BADME
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Living conditions and morale are poor for the military
stationed near Badme, according to a source whose son is on
leave from his assignment with the 21st Tanks unit (NFI) in
that area. The son stated the soldiers are fed three meager
meals per day, two consisting only of a piece of bread and
the third a small bowl of sorghum porridge and another piece
of bread. Morale is extremely low in his unit and the
officers have ordered the soldiers not to listen to Eritrean
or foreign radio broadcasts because they do not want the them
to hear the Eritrean government refused to grant a pay raise
to the military. The son estimated at least 10 soldiers per
month are deserting from his unit and fleeing to Ethiopia.
2. (C) The son stated there have been no recent skirmishes
between Eritrean and Ethiopian forces, but the Eritrean
military is concerned over the growing number of attacks in
this region by the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
Eritrean Kunama (DMLEK). He also stated the tanks and
weapons in his unit are operational and they continue to
train.
MCMULLEN