This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2602:304:ce0a:7600:dc5c:af1f:ea7c:4831 (talk) at 23:15, 25 June 2015. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 23:15, 25 June 2015 by 2602:304:ce0a:7600:dc5c:af1f:ea7c:4831 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (February 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 | |
 Eritrea |
 United States |
|---|---|
Eritrea–United States relations are bilateral relations between Eritrea and the United States. Joel Reifman is the current U.S. Ambassador to Eritrea.
History
The U.S. government (USG) established a consulate in Asmara in 1942. In 1953, the USG 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 1,700 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 worsened. 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 the appointment of a chargé d'affaires. The first U.S. Ambassador arrived later that year.
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, and promoting economic reform.
The U.S. Embassy is in Asmara. Jennifer McIntyre is the Deputy Chief of Mission. Brian Shelbourn is the Consular Officer. Matthew Smith is the Management Officer. The Public Affairs Officer is Margery Benson. The Political/Military Officer and Defense Attache positions are vacant.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.
External links
 Foreign relations of Eritrea | ||
|---|---|---|
| Africa | .svg) | |
| Americas | ||
| Asia | ||
| Europe | ||
