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Eritrea-United States relations

Eritrea	United States

Eritrea-United States relations are bilateral relations between Eritrea and the United States.

The U.S. consulate in Asmara was first established in 1942. In 1953, the United States signed a mutual defense treaty with Ethiopia. The treaty granted the United States control and expansion of the important British military communications base at Kagnew near Asmara. In the 1960s, as many as 4,000 U.S. military personnel were stationed at Kagnew. In the 1970s, technological advances in the satellite and communications fields were making the communications station at Kagnew increasingly obsolete. In 1974, Kagnew Station drastically reduced its personnel complement. In early 1977, the United States informed the Ethiopian Government that it intended to close Kagnew Station permanently by September 30, 1977. In the meantime, U.S. relations with the Mengistu regime were worsening. In April 1977, Mengistu abrogated the 1953 mutual defense treaty and ordered a reduction of U.S. personnel in Ethiopia, including the closure of Kagnew Communications Center and the consulate in Asmara. In August 1992, the United States reopened its consulate in Asmara, staffed with one officer. On April 27, 1993, the United States recognized Eritrea as an independent state, and on June 11, diplomatic relations were established, with a chargé d'affaires. The first U.S. Ambassador arrived later that year.

In the past, the United States has provided substantial assistance to Eritrea, including food and development. In FY 2004, the United States provided over $65 million in humanitarian aid to Eritrea, including $58.1 million in food assistance and $3.47 million in refugee support. In 2005, the Government of Eritrea told USAID to cease operations. At the Eritrean Government's request, the United States no longer provides bilateral development assistance to Eritrea.

U.S. interests in Eritrea include consolidating the peace with Ethiopia, encouraging progress toward establishing a democratic political culture, supporting Eritrean efforts to become constructively involved in solving regional problems, assisting Eritrea in dealing with its humanitarian and development needs, and promoting economic reform.

Principal U.S. officials include:

• Ambassador--Ronald K. McMullen
• Deputy Chief of Mission--Jennifer McIntyre
• Political/Military Officer--vacant
• Consular Officer--Brian Shelbourn
• Management Officer--Matthew Smith
• Public Affairs Officer--Margery Benson
• Defense Attache--vacant

The U.S. Embassy is in Asmara.

See also

• Foreign relations of the United States
• Foreign relations of Eritrea

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.

• Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from February 2008
• Foreign relations of Eritrea
• Foreign relations of the United States by country
• United States-African relations
• Bilateral relations