Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA96
2009-03-23 13:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
SECURITY REPRESENTATIVES SHARE CRIME INFORMATION
how-toR 231300Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0223 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ COMUSNAVCENT DIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000096
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2029
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL ER
SUBJECT: SECURITY REPRESENTATIVES SHARE CRIME INFORMATION
REF: ASMARA 81
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000096
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2029
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL ER
SUBJECT: SECURITY REPRESENTATIVES SHARE CRIME INFORMATION
REF: ASMARA 81
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post hosted a meeting of security officers
and others who handle security affairs at their embassies.
Topics of discussion included the rapid increase of crime in
Asmara, food security in Eritrea, and reports of attacks
outside of Asmara by insurgent groups. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) CRIME: RSO briefed everyone on increased reports of
violent and non-violent crime in Asmara due to the plummeting
economy and scarcity of food to include: an increase of
assaults/muggings, sexual assaults, vehicle-related crimes,
burglaries of occupied residences, and daytime burglaries.
The Italian embassy security officer said there have been
four burglaries at residences of Italian teachers within the
last five weeks. The UK DCM stated her residence was
burglarized three weeks ago while she was home and the ICRC
representative said they had had two residential burglaries
within the last few weeks. About half of these burglaries
occurred while the occupants were at home, but no injuries
were sustained. Other attendees talked about the increase in
beggars knocking on the doors of unguarded residences asking
for money or food, in some instances becoming combative when
refused. Everyone agreed the police force comprises poorly
paid conscripts, is plagued by lack of resources, appears
apathetic towards criminal activity, and does not regularly
patrol affluent residential neighborhoods.
3. (C) FOOD SECURITY: The group discussed food shortages in
Asmara, the rapid increase in the price of staple items such
as tomatoes and onions, and how it affects the stability of
the Isaias regime. The EU representative stated that with a
good rainy season, Eritrea can only supply 60% of its food
requirements. The 2008 rainy season was poor and many
farmers have sold off their work animals and other livestock
in order to feed their families. There have also been
numerous reports of Eritrean soldiers seizing produce/grains
from farmers and from delivery trucks. The Norwegian
management officer stated a ship arrived in Massawa last
weekend with grain and approximately 360,000 tons of sugar
purchased from Brazil. Sixty thousand tons will be for
internal consumption, while the other 300,000 tons will be
sold to Sudan. All attendees agreed the likelihood of riots
or protests stemming from food shortages was low at this
time due to the pervasive control of the Eritrean National
Security Organization. Rather, the exodus of approximately
3000-5000 Eritreans per month would likely continue and help
reduce simmering tensions.
4. (C) REPORTS OF ATTACKS OUTSIDE OF ASMARA: RSO discussed
the continued reports of attacks in southwest Eritrea,
principally by the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
Eritrean Kunama, and the difficulty in verifying these
reported attacks due to travel restrictions and lack of
police cooperation. ICRC stated it has been able to
corroborate some of these reports through its field hospital
in Barentu, which treated some victims, including those
injured in Haicota (reftel). The UN security officer said he
heard rumblings from military contacts that some of the
attacks might have been instigated by the government as a way
to maintain support of the populace by blaming insurgents or
the Ethiopian government. The EU representative stated the
EU had revised its travel policy to southwest Eritrea in
light of the security situation.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: RSO regularly meets with the British,
Israeli and UN security personnel. This expanded meeting of
non-professional security representatives was useful in
sharing information on various issues affecting the
community. All attendees agreed to schedule at least
quarterly meetings to address security concerns.
TABLER-STONE
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2029
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL ER
SUBJECT: SECURITY REPRESENTATIVES SHARE CRIME INFORMATION
REF: ASMARA 81
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post hosted a meeting of security officers
and others who handle security affairs at their embassies.
Topics of discussion included the rapid increase of crime in
Asmara, food security in Eritrea, and reports of attacks
outside of Asmara by insurgent groups. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) CRIME: RSO briefed everyone on increased reports of
violent and non-violent crime in Asmara due to the plummeting
economy and scarcity of food to include: an increase of
assaults/muggings, sexual assaults, vehicle-related crimes,
burglaries of occupied residences, and daytime burglaries.
The Italian embassy security officer said there have been
four burglaries at residences of Italian teachers within the
last five weeks. The UK DCM stated her residence was
burglarized three weeks ago while she was home and the ICRC
representative said they had had two residential burglaries
within the last few weeks. About half of these burglaries
occurred while the occupants were at home, but no injuries
were sustained. Other attendees talked about the increase in
beggars knocking on the doors of unguarded residences asking
for money or food, in some instances becoming combative when
refused. Everyone agreed the police force comprises poorly
paid conscripts, is plagued by lack of resources, appears
apathetic towards criminal activity, and does not regularly
patrol affluent residential neighborhoods.
3. (C) FOOD SECURITY: The group discussed food shortages in
Asmara, the rapid increase in the price of staple items such
as tomatoes and onions, and how it affects the stability of
the Isaias regime. The EU representative stated that with a
good rainy season, Eritrea can only supply 60% of its food
requirements. The 2008 rainy season was poor and many
farmers have sold off their work animals and other livestock
in order to feed their families. There have also been
numerous reports of Eritrean soldiers seizing produce/grains
from farmers and from delivery trucks. The Norwegian
management officer stated a ship arrived in Massawa last
weekend with grain and approximately 360,000 tons of sugar
purchased from Brazil. Sixty thousand tons will be for
internal consumption, while the other 300,000 tons will be
sold to Sudan. All attendees agreed the likelihood of riots
or protests stemming from food shortages was low at this
time due to the pervasive control of the Eritrean National
Security Organization. Rather, the exodus of approximately
3000-5000 Eritreans per month would likely continue and help
reduce simmering tensions.
4. (C) REPORTS OF ATTACKS OUTSIDE OF ASMARA: RSO discussed
the continued reports of attacks in southwest Eritrea,
principally by the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
Eritrean Kunama, and the difficulty in verifying these
reported attacks due to travel restrictions and lack of
police cooperation. ICRC stated it has been able to
corroborate some of these reports through its field hospital
in Barentu, which treated some victims, including those
injured in Haicota (reftel). The UN security officer said he
heard rumblings from military contacts that some of the
attacks might have been instigated by the government as a way
to maintain support of the populace by blaming insurgents or
the Ethiopian government. The EU representative stated the
EU had revised its travel policy to southwest Eritrea in
light of the security situation.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: RSO regularly meets with the British,
Israeli and UN security personnel. This expanded meeting of
non-professional security representatives was useful in
sharing information on various issues affecting the
community. All attendees agreed to schedule at least
quarterly meetings to address security concerns.
TABLER-STONE