Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA350
2009-10-08 12:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
MINE WORKERS KILLED IN ATTACK IN ERITREA
how-toR 081209Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0535 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ DIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL NSC WASHDC SECSTATE WASHDC 0536
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000350
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2029
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PINS ER
SUBJECT: MINE WORKERS KILLED IN ATTACK IN ERITREA
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000350
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2029
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PINS ER
SUBJECT: MINE WORKERS KILLED IN ATTACK IN ERITREA
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C/NF) Three Eritreans working for the Australian mining
company Chalice Gold Mined Ltd were shot and killed at
approximately 1200 hrs on 10/04/09 approximately 25 miles
north of Keren. Reliable embassy sources stated that two
cars left the Chalice Gold Ltd camp near Zara on the morning
of 10/04/09, (approximately 75 miles north of Keren). One
car stopped in a village enroute while the other continued
south towards Keren on a major road. As the road dipped into
the bottom of a ravine, machine gun fire erupted from the
right side of the vehicle, killing the passenger in the front
seat and the two passengers in the backseat. The driver,
though seriously wounded, survived. A short time later the
car that had stopped in the village arrived on scene and
discovered the shot up vehicle. The wounded driver stated
the rate and severity of the gunfire was more intense than
rifle fire. Eritrean government (GSE) officials and Chalice
Gold Ltd stated the "incident was an isolated incident and
unrelated to any mining activities in Eritrea."
2. (C/NF) Post Comments: Although no group has taken credit
for this attack, rumors circulating in Eritrea blame the
attack on either unknown "Islamists" or Ethiopian government
supported groups trying to disrupt the mining sector in
Eritrea. The GSE rarely comments on security incidents in
Eritrea and it is not surprising that they would try to
minimize the severity of this incident. Last week, the GSE
hosted a high profile mining conference in Asmara for
companies involved in mining in the Horn of Africa. Post
does not know what GSE security is in place at the Zara mine
site or if it has been increased as a result of this
incident.
TABLER-STONE
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2029
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PINS ER
SUBJECT: MINE WORKERS KILLED IN ATTACK IN ERITREA
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C/NF) Three Eritreans working for the Australian mining
company Chalice Gold Mined Ltd were shot and killed at
approximately 1200 hrs on 10/04/09 approximately 25 miles
north of Keren. Reliable embassy sources stated that two
cars left the Chalice Gold Ltd camp near Zara on the morning
of 10/04/09, (approximately 75 miles north of Keren). One
car stopped in a village enroute while the other continued
south towards Keren on a major road. As the road dipped into
the bottom of a ravine, machine gun fire erupted from the
right side of the vehicle, killing the passenger in the front
seat and the two passengers in the backseat. The driver,
though seriously wounded, survived. A short time later the
car that had stopped in the village arrived on scene and
discovered the shot up vehicle. The wounded driver stated
the rate and severity of the gunfire was more intense than
rifle fire. Eritrean government (GSE) officials and Chalice
Gold Ltd stated the "incident was an isolated incident and
unrelated to any mining activities in Eritrea."
2. (C/NF) Post Comments: Although no group has taken credit
for this attack, rumors circulating in Eritrea blame the
attack on either unknown "Islamists" or Ethiopian government
supported groups trying to disrupt the mining sector in
Eritrea. The GSE rarely comments on security incidents in
Eritrea and it is not surprising that they would try to
minimize the severity of this incident. Last week, the GSE
hosted a high profile mining conference in Asmara for
companies involved in mining in the Horn of Africa. Post
does not know what GSE security is in place at the Zara mine
site or if it has been increased as a result of this
incident.
TABLER-STONE