VZCZCXRO7527
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1291/01 1160620
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260620Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5850
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001291
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR: DS/IP/AF, DS, IP/ITA, AF/E, AND CA/OCS/ACS
S/CT FOR B.PHIPPS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER ET
SUBJECT: ADDIS ABABA EAC MEETS TO ASSESS SECURITY SITUATION IN
OGADEN REGION OF ETHIOPIA AFTER KILLINGS/KIDNAPPING OF CHINESE
OIL WORKERS AND ETHIOPIANS.
1. (U) ACTION REQUEST: See paragraph 9.
2. (U) On March 25, Post's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met to
assess the security situation in Ethiopia's Somali (Ogaden) Region
in response to previous day's attack on a Chinese oil drilling
facility. EAC members present included COM, DCM, ORA, DAO, CJTF
HOA, POL/ECON, USAID, CDC, CONS, Peace Corps, Health Unit, MGT, PAS,
MSG and RSO.
3. (U) The RSO briefed the EAC regarding the situation. On March
24, an armed group of 200 individuals conducted a day-time attack on
a Chinese oil drilling operation located in Abole, Ethiopia. Abole
is located in the Somali (Ogaden) Region, approximately 60 miles
south of the regional capital (Jijiga) and approximately 20 miles
from the border with Somalia. The following casualties were
reported as result of this attack:
- 9 Chinese oil workers killed;
- 7 Chinese oil workers kidnapped;
- 20 Chinese oil workers wounded;
- 65 local people residing outside the oil camp killed.
- An unknown number of Ethiopian troops securing the area reported
killed and injured.
4. (U) The size of this attack indicates it was well planned and
organized. An Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) spokesman in
London has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in
response to exploitation of resources (oil) by the GOE and other
outsiders in their region. The statement by the ONLF further
advised that future attempts by the GOE and foreigners to exploit
the resources in the region would result in similar action.
5. (SBU) The RSO advised the EAC to revise the consular information
sheet to discourage American citizens from traveling to the Ogaden
and Somalia border regions unless they are directly involved in the
implementation of humanitarian relief efforts. Travel to this
region by personnel under Chief of Mission authority is carefully
reviewed, and only approved on a limited case-by-case basis in
concurrence with the executive Office. The RSO advised the EAC he
is inclined to disapprove most travel by personnel under COM
authority to the region for security concerns.
6. (SBU) The EAC agreed the above consular information sheet
guidance should be strengthened in response to the above situation.
The proposed updated guidance will state as follows (subject to
approval from the Department):
BEGIN TEXT.
Since the mid-1990's, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
and government forces have clashed around Harar and in the Somali
regional state, particularly in the Ogaden region. In April 2007,
the ONLF claimed responsibility for attacking a Chinese oil
exploration installation near Jijiga, in Ethiopia's Somali Region,
after battling government forces. The attack resulted in several
Chinese nationals killed or sequestered, and caused numerous
Ethiopian civilian and military casualties. Cross-border travel by
road from Ethiopia into Somalia is not advised. Somali groups
affiliated with terrorist organizations may occasionally operate
within the Somali, Oromiya, and Afar regions. Additionally, in
December 2006, the Ethiopian Government announced military
operations against the Council of Islamic Courts in Somalia. An
African Union peacekeeping force, AMISOM, is currently deployed in
Somalia, but military operations continue in Mogadishu as of April
2007. American citizens are reminded that the U.S. Embassy strongly
discourages travel to the Ethiopia's Somali Region and that a Travel
Warning has been issued advising against all travel to Somalia.
END TEXT.
7. (SBU) The EAC also agreed this situation merited the following
proposed warden message (subject to approval from the Department):
BEGIN TEXT
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa strongly discourages American
citizens from traveling to Ethiopia's Somali Region (Ogaden). An
April 24 armed attack against a Chinese oil company installation in
this region resulted in the death, kidnapping and wounding of
Chinese personnel, in addition to the death and wounding of numerous
local citizens. American citizens are reminded that the U.S.
ADDIS ABAB 00001291 002 OF 002
Embassy only approves travel of Embassy personnel to the Somali
Region (Ogaden) of Ethiopia on a case-by-case basis. American
citizens are advised to remain vigilant, avoid demonstrations or
large gatherings, and to be cautious when frequenting prominent
public places and landmarks.
END TEXT
8. (SBU) While the ONLF's statement indicates this attack was
conducted against GOE military and foreign oil prospecting personnel
in response to exploitation of resources in their region, this
incident resulted in the deaths of a large number of indigenous
individuals who reside in the area immediately surrounding the oil
drilling facility. While the EAC agreed this attack and the ONLF's
threats are not directed against USG or international humanitarian
relief interests in the region, one cannot discount the fact it was
conducted on a large scale, resulted in a large number of
casualties, and that the Ogaden is a large, desolate region with
little law and order and is rife with banditry, especially in the
rural areas.
9. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Given the unprecedented nature and scale of
this attack, which resulted in deaths of third-country nationals,
Post requests the Department review and consideration of what steps
should be taken to raise the ONLF's position on the Department's
terrorist exclusion list. Post will continue to monitor the
situation and will report additional details SEPTEL.
10. (SBU) The Ambassador has sent condolence letters to Prime
Minister Meles and the Chinese Charge. The Defense Attache has sent
condolence letters to his contacts at the Chinese Embassy and the
Ethiopian Military.
YAMAMOTO