Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA415
2009-12-02 02:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ADI QUALA BORDER AREA LARGELY DEMILITARIZED
how-toVZCZCXRO4744 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0415 3360236 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 020236Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0618 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE 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 000415
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/RSA
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2019
TAGS: MOPS PREL PREF PGOV ET ER
SUBJECT: ADI QUALA BORDER AREA LARGELY DEMILITARIZED
REF: ADDIS 2770
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for reason 1.4(c)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000415
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/RSA
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2019
TAGS: MOPS PREL PREF PGOV ET ER
SUBJECT: ADI QUALA BORDER AREA LARGELY DEMILITARIZED
REF: ADDIS 2770
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for reason 1.4(c)
1. (SBU) The border area near Adi Quala, 60 miles south of
Asmara and just 15 miles north of Ethiopia is largely
demilitarized, according to a young Eritrean who recently
visited the area. Residents of the area freely pass between
Eritrea and Ethiopia, he continued, either to follow
livestock or for trade. The source said Eritrean soldiers in
trenches have been replaced by roving border patrols
comprising proxy forces, including fighters from the Oromo
Liberation Front (OLF). Similarly, he claimed, Ethiopian
troops have been swapped for Eritrean rebel fighters. He had
no information about other parts of the Eritrea-Ethiopia
border. He emphasized, however, that although the border is
monitored only by roving patrols, getting close to the area
required stopping at numerous checkpoints and providing a
detailed explanation of why he was there.
2. (C) COMMENT: Since UNMEE's final departure in February
2009 news of border conditions has been rare. Such
significant demilitarization of the border, if widespread,
may account for the increase in Eritreans successfully
escaping to Ethiopia (reftel). If the situation near Adi
Quala reflects the conditions along the border, the regime
could not believe war with Ethiopia is a threat and belies
its reasons for keeping the country on a war footing.
Tabler-Stone
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/RSA
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2019
TAGS: MOPS PREL PREF PGOV ET ER
SUBJECT: ADI QUALA BORDER AREA LARGELY DEMILITARIZED
REF: ADDIS 2770
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for reason 1.4(c)
1. (SBU) The border area near Adi Quala, 60 miles south of
Asmara and just 15 miles north of Ethiopia is largely
demilitarized, according to a young Eritrean who recently
visited the area. Residents of the area freely pass between
Eritrea and Ethiopia, he continued, either to follow
livestock or for trade. The source said Eritrean soldiers in
trenches have been replaced by roving border patrols
comprising proxy forces, including fighters from the Oromo
Liberation Front (OLF). Similarly, he claimed, Ethiopian
troops have been swapped for Eritrean rebel fighters. He had
no information about other parts of the Eritrea-Ethiopia
border. He emphasized, however, that although the border is
monitored only by roving patrols, getting close to the area
required stopping at numerous checkpoints and providing a
detailed explanation of why he was there.
2. (C) COMMENT: Since UNMEE's final departure in February
2009 news of border conditions has been rare. Such
significant demilitarization of the border, if widespread,
may account for the increase in Eritreans successfully
escaping to Ethiopia (reftel). If the situation near Adi
Quala reflects the conditions along the border, the regime
could not believe war with Ethiopia is a threat and belies
its reasons for keeping the country on a war footing.
Tabler-Stone