ERITREAN INSURGENCY AND AMERICANS AT KAGNEW STATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-10-1-34-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2010
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: November 27, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/09/08: LOC-HAK-10-1-34-1 3_G
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HO
WASHINGTON
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR HENRY KISSINGER
FROM: - Marshall Wright
SUBJECT: Eritrean Insurgency and Americans at Kagnew Station
There has been a quite sharp increase in the past several weeks in the
activity of the Eritrean Liberation Front, a Muslim insurgent group
which is seeking to "free" Eritrea from Ethiopian rule. (The ELF gets
its equipment and training from militant Arab states, primarily South
Yemen and Sudan. The Chinese Communists are also believed to be
suppliers to the ELF.) A few days ago the ELF successfully ambushed
an Ethiopian army convoy and killed an Ethiopian major general.
Martial law is expected to follow.
Our Kagnew Station is smack in the middle of Eritrea. Although the
ELF has never, in the past, attacked our installation or any of our
personnel, we have never really understood why they have held their
hand. In any event, the new level of activity raises anew the possibility
of troubles for us.
I don't want to be caught unprepared on this, and am therefore reviewing
with the relevant agencies what our plans and capabilities are.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/09/08: LOC-HAK-10-1-34-1