Cablegate: Asmara Dao Nears April 30 Deadline

VZCZCXRO6892
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0233 1151204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241204Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9629
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEFSNG/HMSNG WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//NMJIC-J2/DHO-7//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2-JAH//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ5E//
RUEPVAA/CDR JSOC FORT BRAGG NC//J2/HSE//
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC//DDI/OEA//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//INR//
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J2/J5-AF//
RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD//M112/S21321HT//
RUEANQS/NIMA SAINT LOUIS MO//PTNXD/PTNXA-1//
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J2/J5//

UNCLAS ASMARA 000233

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/INR
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR AMGT ER
SUBJECT: ASMARA DAO NEARS APRIL 30 DEADLINE

1. Embassy Asmara has informed Eritrea's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in person and in writing that, absent a positive
indication by April 30 that Eritrea wishes to maintain a
military-to-military relationship, Post will begin the
definitive suspension of its Defense Attache's Office.
Should the Eritreans decide to end the military relationship,
operations would be suspended in mid-June with the departure
of the DAO's sole remaining staff member. Eritrea has
refused to issue visas for incoming DOD personnel assigned to
Embassy Asmara.

2. If Eritrea refuses to issue visas to enable the DAO to
remain open, Post will maintain the DAO positions unfilled,
pending the ambassador's decision on any potential NSDD-38
request to change the number of DOD positions in Asmara.
MCMULLEN

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