- Eritrea–United States relations
Eritrea -United States relations arebilateral relations betweenEritrea and theUnited States .Ronald K. McMullen is the U.S. Ambassador to Eritrea.History
The U.S. government (USG) established a consulate in
Asmara in 1942. In 1953, the USG signed amutual defense treaty withEthiopia . The treaty granted the United States control and expansion of the important British military communications base atKagnew 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 theEthiopian government that it intended to close Kagnew Station permanently by September 30, 1977. In the meantime, U.S. relations with theMengistu 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 achargé d'affaires . The first U.S. Ambassador arrived later that year.The United States has provided substantial assistance to Eritrea, including food and
development aid . In 2004, the United States provided over $65 million inhumanitarian aid to Eritrea, including $58.1 million in food assistance and $3.47 million to supportrefugees . In 2005, the Eritrean government toldUSAID to cease operations. USAID complied.U.S. interests in Eritrea include consolidating the peace with
Ethiopia , encouraging progress toward establishing ademocratic 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.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 isMargery Benson . The Political/Military Officer and Defense Attache positions are vacant.See also
*
Foreign relations of the United States
*Foreign relations of Eritrea References
* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2854.htm]
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