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The Wikileaks From Asmara Have Begun!

The Wikileaks cables seem to now indicate that the United States pressed its vassal, Ethiopia into the latter’s invasion of Somalia in 2006. This vindicates Eritrea and its position that the collapse of the Union of Islamic Courts that had stabilized Somalia, and brought some semblance of power-sharing between moderates and other Islamists to Somalia was encouraged by external actors.

In fact this may even push staunch supporters of the United States policy in the region to admit that this policy may have caused more damage to the already sullied reputation of the United States in the region. Consider Rob Prince of the Colorado Progressive Jewish News, “… the generally more moderate Union of Islamic Courts was weakened, [and] soon replaced in Somalia by far more radical and militant Islamic groups with a more openly anti-American agenda …” (( WikiLeaks Reveals U.S. Twisted Ethiopia’s Arm to Invade Somalia)) This was precisely the fear of that Eritrea voiced before the invasion to the regional organization and the African Union.

All in all, if anything the cable is a damning indictment of the former Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer and hopefully upon review of these cables prior to his determination of policy choices, current Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson has changed his tune. It seems that he may have but not turned the ship around. Hopefully, the realization that these cables may come to light sooner rather than later he will take more care in his policy recommendations. On the other hand, it may lead to a reduction in the use of diplomacy which would similarly harm the region. In the end the Hague should consider the consequence of Jendayi Frazer’s recommendation and arm-twisting and determine whether or not she ought to be prosecuted.

The irony of such a prosecution is that her recommendations which may amount to conspiracy to commit acts of genocide (against Somali civilians) pale in comparison to her suggestions that Eritrea was a state sponsor of terrorism. If anything these cables seem to point to the principle of state sponsor of stability in Somalia by Eritrea. Eventually it seems, the truth comes to light. But we can ferret out more.

It seems as though the United States, or at the very least the peons at the periphery of empire, manning the posts at the frontier consider Eritrea a target for elimination. As Thomas Keneally suggested in his book, To Asmara, “… [Eritrea] is a threat of a good example to Africa …” In fact it seems now that the State Department has been attempting to cultivate the land for a coup ((An Eritrean Overture to the United States)). Ironically the writer seems to have either a myopic view on history in the region or purely ignorant as s/he implies that Eritrea has no sense of the inherent consequences of terrorism. I imagine this is based on the idea that America has little to learn from such a new country (a view clearly not shared by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld).

Finally, it that same cable it seems that the Ambassador in Asmara at the time could not see the benefit of a resolution to the Eritrean-Ethiopian border dispute (or rather he did, but ignored it ((An Eritrean Overture to the United States)) ) in reducing tensions and overall violence in the region. In fact, this points to either gross negligence in consideration or worse, ignorance. I think more of the Diplomatic Corps so I leave it to the reader to choose which is the better option.

Of course buried between the disparaging remarks about Eritrean society, culture and institutions as well as the useless plots against Eritrea, one wonderful note exists, ” … In the face of deprivation … Eritreans remain fiercely patriotic.” ((Is Eritrea Unraveling)) Indeed, Eritrea as a whole, its Government, its military, its domestic citizenry and diaspora remain fiercely patriotic.

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2 Comments

  1. Ag Ag

    Summary: Young Eritreans are fleeing their country in droves, the economy appears to be in a death spiral, Eritrea’s prisons are overflowing, and the country’s unhinged dictator remains cruel and defiant. Is the country “on the brink of disaster” as posited by Eritrea’s first cousins across the border in Tigray, Ethiopia (ref)? Party leaders tell us their Leninist “war economy” will be reversed, while Asmara is abuzz with reports of multiple cabinet-level changes. However, tinkering at the margins of governance will count for naught as long as the Isaias regime remains a one-man band. Gold mining will not provide the anticipated economic panacea. Although the regime is one bullet away from implosion, Eritrea’s resilience as a country is based on 1) a strong sense of nationalism forged over four decades of war, and 2) the capacity of most Eritreans to withstand suffering and deprivation with forbearance and toughness. Any sudden change in government is likely to be initiated from within the military

    • Anonymous Anonymous

      Thank you for summarizing the cable from the US ambassador who was sent to Eritrea. Did you also notice that he was:
      A) sent by the Bush Administration who targeted Eritrea as a state sponsor of terror without any evidence to that effect? and,
      B) that his dissertation dealt with the economics of coups?

      It is interesting (note the implied sarcasm) that he was sent to Asmara, worse though was the feigned indignation at the refusal of the Government to acknowledge him. As you may know, Eritreans are unaccustomed to bow (nor kneeling if you recall the reference)!

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