Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA395
2009-11-16 06:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
GSE CONFISCATES CATHOLIC BUILDING MATERIALS
how-toVZCZCXRO8730 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0395 3200633 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 160633Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0594 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000395
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL/IRF
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2019
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE CONFISCATES CATHOLIC BUILDING MATERIALS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000395
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL/IRF
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2019
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE CONFISCATES CATHOLIC BUILDING MATERIALS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) Over the last two weeks the Eritrean government (GSE)
has confiscated truckloads of building materials used for
various outreach projects from the San Francesco Catholic
Church in Asmara. The building materials were purchased
legally two years ago, according to one of the priests, some
even from the GSE-owned Red Sea Corporation. The priest
admitted that initially after the purchase, the church sold
some metal sheets without "permission." The GSE fined the
church and arrested the person in charge of the sale;
however, "this was over two years ago" noted the priest.
Now, the GSE has returned to confiscate the materials, which
include lumber, roof tiles, metal sheets, and other
commodities hard to come by in Eritrea. The priest stated
the GSE provided no letter and no warning.
2. (C) COMMENT: The GSE has a history of targeting the
Catholic church, despite it being one of the four approved
religious groups, due to the church's often outspoken nature.
The priest who met with the emboffs spoke candidly about the
confiscation of the church's building materials, something
unusual in a country where the reality of GSE abuse is often
swept under the rug. Post believes the GSE will continue to
single out the Catholic church as long as it remains
independent of GSE control and continues to speak out against
efforts by the Isaias regime to hamper and undermine its
religious and social activities.
McMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL/IRF
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2019
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE CONFISCATES CATHOLIC BUILDING MATERIALS
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) Over the last two weeks the Eritrean government (GSE)
has confiscated truckloads of building materials used for
various outreach projects from the San Francesco Catholic
Church in Asmara. The building materials were purchased
legally two years ago, according to one of the priests, some
even from the GSE-owned Red Sea Corporation. The priest
admitted that initially after the purchase, the church sold
some metal sheets without "permission." The GSE fined the
church and arrested the person in charge of the sale;
however, "this was over two years ago" noted the priest.
Now, the GSE has returned to confiscate the materials, which
include lumber, roof tiles, metal sheets, and other
commodities hard to come by in Eritrea. The priest stated
the GSE provided no letter and no warning.
2. (C) COMMENT: The GSE has a history of targeting the
Catholic church, despite it being one of the four approved
religious groups, due to the church's often outspoken nature.
The priest who met with the emboffs spoke candidly about the
confiscation of the church's building materials, something
unusual in a country where the reality of GSE abuse is often
swept under the rug. Post believes the GSE will continue to
single out the Catholic church as long as it remains
independent of GSE control and continues to speak out against
efforts by the Isaias regime to hamper and undermine its
religious and social activities.
McMULLEN