Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LOME120
2009-04-15 10:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lome
Cable title:
KPATCHA GNASSINGBE SEEKS REFUGE AT U.S. EMBASSY
how-to------------------53AFB4 151224Z /07 P 151052Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY LOME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9070 INFO AMEMBASSY ACCRA AMEMBASSY COTONOU AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS LOME 000120
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC TO
SUBJECT: KPATCHA GNASSINGBE SEEKS REFUGE AT U.S. EMBASSY
LOME
REF: A. LOME 119
B. LOME 115
UNCLAS LOME 000120
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC TO
SUBJECT: KPATCHA GNASSINGBE SEEKS REFUGE AT U.S. EMBASSY
LOME
REF: A. LOME 119
B. LOME 115
1. (SBU) Summary. Shortly before 05:00 on Wednesday, April 15, Kpatcha Gnassingbe, former Minister of Defense and half-brother to President Faure, arrived at U.S. Embassy Lome seeking refuge from arrest for questioning in the investigation of a coup plot. His appearance surprised the local guard force and he gained entry only to the main Compound Access Control (CAC) point, where he remained for
over 2 hours. At 7:20, a small gendarmerie arrest team was permitted to enter the CAC and quietly escorted him into a waiting vehicle. End Summary.
2. (SBU) When Kpatcha arrived at the Embassy, local guards allowed him to enter only the main CAC. About 20 minutes after his arrival, a team of gendarmerie arrived and parked in front of the main entrance to the Embassy. They remained quietly, on the other side of their vehicle, and did not
attempt to enter the CAC. Kpatcha requested asylum from arrest. He was asked to leave the CAC but refused. The Ambassador spoke with him by phone and asked him to leave the premises. She explained that the USG upholds the laws of Togo, and he would have to comply with the terms of the
arrest warrant. She further explained that the Embassy would do everything it could to ensure that he was treated fairly in the judicial process. Kpatcha replied that he feared he would be killed if he left the CAC and refused to do so.
3. (SBU) The head of the gendarmerie, Lt. Colonel Yark, came to the Embassy. RSO requested a copy of the arrest warrant from him and Minister of Security Titikpina, both of whom assured him a copy would be coming. After assuring that Kpatcha was not armed, and that the local guard force was safely out of the way, RSO successfully negotiated with Yark that he and a small arrest team would be permitted to enter the CAC and escort Kpatcha from the premises. Kpatcha went with them quietly, was taken away in a waiting vehicle, and the gendarmerie contingent left Embassy grounds.
4. (SBU) Comment. Post was in contact with the Operation Center during the entire event. Embassy employees were contacted and directed to remain at home until further notice. Embassy is now open for business. However, the rumors are flying fast and furious, and the whole incident has already been the subject of a Radio France International call-in talk show. We have prepared press talking points and
have sent them for clearance. End Comment.
HAWKINS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC TO
SUBJECT: KPATCHA GNASSINGBE SEEKS REFUGE AT U.S. EMBASSY
LOME
REF: A. LOME 119
B. LOME 115
1. (SBU) Summary. Shortly before 05:00 on Wednesday, April 15, Kpatcha Gnassingbe, former Minister of Defense and half-brother to President Faure, arrived at U.S. Embassy Lome seeking refuge from arrest for questioning in the investigation of a coup plot. His appearance surprised the local guard force and he gained entry only to the main Compound Access Control (CAC) point, where he remained for
over 2 hours. At 7:20, a small gendarmerie arrest team was permitted to enter the CAC and quietly escorted him into a waiting vehicle. End Summary.
2. (SBU) When Kpatcha arrived at the Embassy, local guards allowed him to enter only the main CAC. About 20 minutes after his arrival, a team of gendarmerie arrived and parked in front of the main entrance to the Embassy. They remained quietly, on the other side of their vehicle, and did not
attempt to enter the CAC. Kpatcha requested asylum from arrest. He was asked to leave the CAC but refused. The Ambassador spoke with him by phone and asked him to leave the premises. She explained that the USG upholds the laws of Togo, and he would have to comply with the terms of the
arrest warrant. She further explained that the Embassy would do everything it could to ensure that he was treated fairly in the judicial process. Kpatcha replied that he feared he would be killed if he left the CAC and refused to do so.
3. (SBU) The head of the gendarmerie, Lt. Colonel Yark, came to the Embassy. RSO requested a copy of the arrest warrant from him and Minister of Security Titikpina, both of whom assured him a copy would be coming. After assuring that Kpatcha was not armed, and that the local guard force was safely out of the way, RSO successfully negotiated with Yark that he and a small arrest team would be permitted to enter the CAC and escort Kpatcha from the premises. Kpatcha went with them quietly, was taken away in a waiting vehicle, and the gendarmerie contingent left Embassy grounds.
4. (SBU) Comment. Post was in contact with the Operation Center during the entire event. Embassy employees were contacted and directed to remain at home until further notice. Embassy is now open for business. However, the rumors are flying fast and furious, and the whole incident has already been the subject of a Radio France International call-in talk show. We have prepared press talking points and
have sent them for clearance. End Comment.
HAWKINS