Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASMARA33
2010-02-12 06:44:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
how-toINFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 INL-00 PERC-00 DS-00 DHSE-00 OIGO-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OIG-00 GIWI-00 DOHS-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 NCTC-00 SCRS-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 SANA-00 /000W P 120644Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0704 INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY DOHA AMEMBASSY RIYADH AMEMBASSY SANAA CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC NSC WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000033
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2019
TAGS: PREL ER SA IR YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI CONCERNS ABOUT ERITREA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000033
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2019
TAGS: PREL ER SA IR YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI CONCERNS ABOUT ERITREA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Saudi ambassador to Eritrea is concerned
about Iranian influence, says Iran has supplied materiel to
the Eritrean navy, and recently ran into an Iranian
delegation visiting Asmara. He claims Yemeni Houthi rebels
were present in Eritrea in 2009 (but is not sure if they
still are),and reported that the Isaias regime this week
arrested six Eritrean employees of the Saudi embassy. End
Summary.
2. (C) WARY OF IRAN
--------------
Saudi Ambassador Nasir Bin al-Hooti (protect) told the
ambassador February 11 that he was concerned about growing
Iranian interest in Eritrea. He personally saw a delegation
of five or six Iranian visitors being escorted by the MFA's
Director of Protocol this week in Asmara. He claims Iran has
provided equipment and weapons to the Eritrean navy. "Iran
plans to encircle us like a moon," he mused.
3. (C) HOUTHIS
--------------
Ambassador al-Hooti said he was "sure" that Houthi rebels
were in Eritrea in 2009, but he said he was not certain if
they are still here. He said the Isaias regime supports
opposition groups of neighboring countries to increase
Asmara's influence, and speculated that Isaias still harbors
ill-will toward Yemen over the Hanish Islands War. Al-Hooti
acknowledged that the Yemeni ambassador is skeptical of
reports of Eritrean support for the Houthis. The Saudi
ambassador opined that because of trouble with the Houthis,
southern secessionists, and al-Qaida, Sana'a is purposefully
downplaying Eritrea's destabilizing role so as not to provoke
Isaias at this time. When asked if he thought Iran was
training Houthi rebels in Eritrea, al-Hooti said he didn't
know.
4. (C) SAUDI EMBASSY CONCERNS
--------------
The government of Eritrea recently arrested six local
employees of the Saudi Embassy, al-Hooti complained. "They
have not charged them with anything or taken them to a court,
they are just gone," he said. The ambassador commiserated,
explaining that we have had 46 local employees arrested since
2001. When the ambassador asked why the six were arrested,
the Saudi ambassador said he didn't know, but speculated that
it might be related to the Saudi refusal to host a visit of
the Eritrean Foreign Minister to Riyadh in January.
McMullen
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2019
TAGS: PREL ER SA IR YM
SUBJECT: SAUDI CONCERNS ABOUT ERITREA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Saudi ambassador to Eritrea is concerned
about Iranian influence, says Iran has supplied materiel to
the Eritrean navy, and recently ran into an Iranian
delegation visiting Asmara. He claims Yemeni Houthi rebels
were present in Eritrea in 2009 (but is not sure if they
still are),and reported that the Isaias regime this week
arrested six Eritrean employees of the Saudi embassy. End
Summary.
2. (C) WARY OF IRAN
--------------
Saudi Ambassador Nasir Bin al-Hooti (protect) told the
ambassador February 11 that he was concerned about growing
Iranian interest in Eritrea. He personally saw a delegation
of five or six Iranian visitors being escorted by the MFA's
Director of Protocol this week in Asmara. He claims Iran has
provided equipment and weapons to the Eritrean navy. "Iran
plans to encircle us like a moon," he mused.
3. (C) HOUTHIS
--------------
Ambassador al-Hooti said he was "sure" that Houthi rebels
were in Eritrea in 2009, but he said he was not certain if
they are still here. He said the Isaias regime supports
opposition groups of neighboring countries to increase
Asmara's influence, and speculated that Isaias still harbors
ill-will toward Yemen over the Hanish Islands War. Al-Hooti
acknowledged that the Yemeni ambassador is skeptical of
reports of Eritrean support for the Houthis. The Saudi
ambassador opined that because of trouble with the Houthis,
southern secessionists, and al-Qaida, Sana'a is purposefully
downplaying Eritrea's destabilizing role so as not to provoke
Isaias at this time. When asked if he thought Iran was
training Houthi rebels in Eritrea, al-Hooti said he didn't
know.
4. (C) SAUDI EMBASSY CONCERNS
--------------
The government of Eritrea recently arrested six local
employees of the Saudi Embassy, al-Hooti complained. "They
have not charged them with anything or taken them to a court,
they are just gone," he said. The ambassador commiserated,
explaining that we have had 46 local employees arrested since
2001. When the ambassador asked why the six were arrested,
the Saudi ambassador said he didn't know, but speculated that
it might be related to the Saudi refusal to host a visit of
the Eritrean Foreign Minister to Riyadh in January.
McMullen