Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA365
2009-10-20 13:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
INFORMATION MINISTER NOT WORRIED ABOUT SANCTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO4716 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0365 2931342 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 201342Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0552 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000365
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION MINISTER NOT WORRIED ABOUT SANCTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000365
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION MINISTER NOT WORRIED ABOUT SANCTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) Minister of Information Ali Abdu told Reuters he is
unconcerned with sanctions, according to Jeremy Clarke
(protect),Reuters' new Asmara correspondent. During
Clarke's October 14 interview with the minister, Ali
repeatedly denied allegations that Eritrea had any
involvement in Somalia. During the interview, Ali directly
dismissed sanctions, calling them "insignificant." The
minister specifically told Clarke that even if sanctions were
to pass, as currently envisioned they would have little or no
impact on the country. Ali also became visibly frustrated
that he had to repeat answers to questions that had already
been asked, Clarke continued.
2. (C) Clarke has a scheduled interview with President Isaias
Afwerki for Wednesday, October 21. Even though he suspects
the president will simply brush aside the most hard-hitting
questions, Clarke is collecting requests from diplomatic
missions for topics they would like raised with the president.
McMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION MINISTER NOT WORRIED ABOUT SANCTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) Minister of Information Ali Abdu told Reuters he is
unconcerned with sanctions, according to Jeremy Clarke
(protect),Reuters' new Asmara correspondent. During
Clarke's October 14 interview with the minister, Ali
repeatedly denied allegations that Eritrea had any
involvement in Somalia. During the interview, Ali directly
dismissed sanctions, calling them "insignificant." The
minister specifically told Clarke that even if sanctions were
to pass, as currently envisioned they would have little or no
impact on the country. Ali also became visibly frustrated
that he had to repeat answers to questions that had already
been asked, Clarke continued.
2. (C) Clarke has a scheduled interview with President Isaias
Afwerki for Wednesday, October 21. Even though he suspects
the president will simply brush aside the most hard-hitting
questions, Clarke is collecting requests from diplomatic
missions for topics they would like raised with the president.
McMULLEN