Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA376
2009-10-27 12:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

GSE MISMANAGEMENT OF POWER SUPPLY

Tags:  ECON ENRG PREL PGOV KU ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1258
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0376 3001219
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 271219Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0567
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0035
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
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 000376 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND EEB
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2019
TAGS: ECON ENRG PREL PGOV KU ER
SUBJECT: GSE MISMANAGEMENT OF POWER SUPPLY

REF: A. ASMARA 339

B. 08 ASMARA 300

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000376

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND EEB
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2019
TAGS: ECON ENRG PREL PGOV KU ER
SUBJECT: GSE MISMANAGEMENT OF POWER SUPPLY

REF: A. ASMARA 339

B. 08 ASMARA 300

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).


1. (C) Vital lubricants for Eritrea's main generators are at
least five days away from machinery that needed them a month
ago (Ref A),according to Mohammed Gbepo (protect),Total's
managing director in Eritrea. In a typical last minute deal,
the Eritrean government (GSE) scraped together more than $1
million to purchase 2,000 drums of specialized lubricants for
its Massawa generators. Although this amount would typically
last seven months, the generators have been running below
standard for months and will immediately require 500 of the
initial 800-drum shipment just to get back up to correct
specifications. As of Oct 22, Gbepo continued, the GSE is
only running two of the four generators, which could mean
intermittent blackouts in Asmara and Massawa until the
lubricants arrive. It could also mean that industry, such as
the soap factory and the brewery, will be forced to run on
generators. As of midnight Oct 27, large sections of Asmara,
including the embassy compound, have experienced power
failure.


2. (C) Gbepo expressed continued frustration with the GSE.
The government refuses to enter into a contract to ensure a
regular supply of the needed lubricants, and instead demands
immediate delivery at the last minute. He told poloff the
GSE once sent a military official with $120,000 stuffed in a
suitcase to try to bribe him into supplying the lubricants
more quickly. Gbepo reiterated the GSE is doing extensive
damage to its generators by waiting until the last minute to
resupply the lubricants.
McMULLEN