VZCZCXRO8999
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0895/01 2862023
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 132023Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 2086
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 1787
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0812
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 0003
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 0393
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 1653
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 0777
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7319

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000895 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2019 
TAGS: PREL UNGA UNP PGOV PTER KPKO ET SO
SUBJECT: ERITREA PRESSES FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS, FAILS TO 
ACKNOWLEDGE  DESTABILIZING ROLE 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000895  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Susan Rice. Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
  ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. During a September 28 meeting with 
Ambassador Rice and AF DAS Fitzgerald, Eritrean Foreign 
Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Advisor Yemane 
Ghebreab underscored their desire to improve relations with 
the United States, while denying that Eritrea is fueling the 
insurgency in Somalia. Ghebreab stated that a new political 
settlement including a wider base of opposition groups is 
required for a lasting peace in Somalia, and that Eritrea 
wishes to work with the U.S. to achieve this goal.  Saleh 
and Ghebreab failed to acknowledge that Eritrea occupied 
Djiboutian territory, but expressed interest in solving the 
long-standing border dispute.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Eritrea "Ready and Serious" about Improving Relations 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2. (C) In a September 28th meeting with Ambassador Rice and 
Bureau of African Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary 
William Fitzgerald, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh 
and Presidential Advisor Yemane Ghebreab stated they were 
"ready and serious" about improving bilateral relations 
with the U.S., noting that the current situation is 
undesirable.  Ambassador Rice cited Eritrea's failure to 
embrace previous opportunities to improve the relationship, 
including rejecting a call from Secretary Clinton, while e 
mphasizing that quick and tangible signs of change are now 
needed.  Ghebreab stated that, "nothing is more important 
than improved relations with the U.S.," stressing that 
President Isaias is now willing to talk with Secretary 
Clinton and welcomes a visit by A/S Carson.  Ghebreab 
pointed to two recent letters sent by President Isaias to 
President Obama, in which he offered to send a delegation 
to the United States for talks, as examples of progress. 
Ambassador Rice underscored the need for concrete action to 
match Eritrea's words, pointing to steps that can be taken 
quickly, including the acceptance of U.S. Ambassador to 
Eritrea Ronald McMullen's credentials. 
 
Desire for Constructive Engagement in Somalia 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (C) Foreign Minister Saleh stressed that Eritrea wishes 
to work with the U.S. to improve conditions in Somalia, 
stating that, "instead of talking about consequences, we 
can engage to solve problems together."  Ghebreab 
insisted that Eritrea is not sending weapons, airplanes 
or money to the insurgency in Somalia, and that al-Shaabab 
is dangerous both to Somalia and the region as a whole.  In 
response to Ambassador Rice's question on whether Eritrea 
has ever fueled the insurgency in Somalia, Ghebreab first 
responded only in present tense, saying no, but later when 
pressed switched to the past tense.  Ghebreab stated that 
while Eritrea does not oppose the TFG, it believes that a 
wider political settlement, including Puntland, Somaliland, 
Hizbal Islam and certain individuals within al-Shaabab, is 
necessary to broaden the base and achieve a peaceful 
solution.  Responding to a question from Ambassador Rice 
about whether Eritrea would recognize the TFG as the 
foundation for an inclusive settlement, Ghebreab stated he 
is not opposed to this idea as long as the TFG does not, 
"burn bridges with others."  Ambassador Rice stated that 
while it is not inconceivable that other opposition groups 
be brought in to peace talks, al-Shaabab could not be 
included, as it is a terrorist group not a responsible 
political party.  Ghebreab said that Eritrea is in daily 
contact with the TFG and believes that peace can be brought 
to Somalia if the U.S. and Eritrea work together on a new 
political settlement. 
 
¶4.  (C)  In response to FM Saleh's statement that there is 
no proof that Eritrea has supported the insurgency in 
Somalia, Ambassador Rice noted the strong evidence and 
stated that Eritrea's expressed desire for improved relations 
would 
be more credible if it was willing to acknowledge its role in 
Somalia. Ghebreab emphasized that Eritrea wishes to, "get 
Somalia 
back on its feet," and rejects claims that Eritrea is using 
instability in Somalia as a tactic to "get to" Ethiopia. 
Ghebreab explained that he cannot demonstrate that Eritrea 
is not supplying weapons or money to the insurgency as it 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000895  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
is impossible to demonstrate something that Eritrea is not 
doing.  He emphasized that Eritrea is "a constructive 
player in Somalia" and is working with countries in the 
region and international organizations to find a solution. 
Ambassador Rice stated that the Security Council believes 
that Eritrea is not playing a constructive role and that 
the burden of proof is on Eritrea to demonstrate otherwise. 
 
Interest in Addressing Border Dispute 
------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Ambassador Rice noted Eritrea's failure to comply 
with UNSCR 1862 regarding the border dispute with Djibouti 
and that a lack of progress leaves the Security Council 
with few options.  Saleh stated that Eritrea was condemned 
by the Security Council before the facts were ascertained, 
adding that the dispute began when Eritrea responded to an 
armed attack from Djibouti and the Djiboutian President 
threatened war in the Security Council.  Saleh failed to 
acknowledge that Eritrean occupied Djiboutian territory, 
but stated that Djibouti has mounted a negative public 
relations campaign against Ertirea and is benefiting by the 
dispute.  Ghebreab lamented that the Eritrean-Ethiopian 
border dispute is not taken as seriously by the Security 
Council, while emphasizing that in spite of this imbalance, 
"progress is underway to resolve the border dispute with 
Djibouti quietly."  Ghebreab said that Eritrea is now 
talking with the UN's Department of Political Affairs, and 
concerned countries, adding that, "Eritrea is willing if 
Djibouti is willing." 
 
¶6.  (C) The meeting concluded with Foreign Minister Saleh 
underscoring Eritrea's hope to improve bilateral relations, 
including by working together on Somalia and Sudan, among 
other Horn of Africa issues.  Ambassador Rice reiterated 
that Eritrea's actions must be concrete and fast, otherwise 
the Security Council will be compelled to take action. 
 
¶7.  (C) Comment: The meeting was notable for Gebreab's 
efforts to stress repeatedly Eritrea's desire for improved 
bilateral relations. However, beneath these statements, 
there was no/no beef - only disingenuous refutations of 
Eritrea's support for extremists in Somalia, bald-face 
denial of any wrong0doing vis--vis Djibouti, and refusal 
to demonstrate any movement on outstanding issues in the 
bilateral relationship.  Regrettable, Ambassador Rice 
and DAS Fitzgerald heard nothing to change the USG's 
current assessment and strategy regarding Eritrea. 
End Comment. 
 
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED 
RICE