US State Department official denied report of US threat of military action against Eritrea, called such reports of misrepresentation of US policies  "garbage".
Ease of travel restriction reported, full consular service in the pipe-line?

Meskerem 04-25-09. In response to meskerem's request for comment or clarification regarding the report by Damien McElroy in the Daily Telegraph that alleged US threat of military attack against Eritrea on account of Eritrea's alleged support of the Al-Shabaab, the concerned US Department official stated that the US never threatened the State of Eritrea with any military action and called such irresponsible misrepresentation of  US policy "garbage". The official advised meskerem to refer to the current US position on Eritrea  as published in the agency's website.

The article by Damien McElroy that was published  in the Daily Telegraph dated 17 Apr 2009 was also criticized by the Eritrean government through a Press Release posted in its website.  The report had stated that the US would take military action against Eritrea as it did against Afghanistan on account of Eritrea's alleged support of Al-Shabaab. Eritrean-Americans are shocked and angered as the report misrepresented the policy of the US administration they worked so hard to put in the White House.  The report is now seen as the last and dying breath of the failed policy of aggression of the Bush-Cheney era. Contrary to the message of the report, there are signs of goodwill gestures between the US and Eritrea.

Ease of travel restriction reported, full consular service possible. Visas to US citizens made easier.

There are signs that the US and Eritrea might be moving towards improving bilateral relations. Meskerem has been informed that the travel restrictions imposed on the US Embassy might be easing and might even be lifted soon. Rumors in Asmara are also spreading like wild fire that the Consular Office of the US Embassy in Asmara might resume to provide full visa services.

Meskerem invited the US State Department official to comment on the rumors; cautiously, the US Department, official who declined to be mentioned by name, responded that there are some issues and it is a matter of time but can not tell when the US Embassy would resume to provide full service as it did before. It is to be remembered that the the Bush administration and the Eritrean government took counter actions that resulted in the closure of Eritrean consular office in the Bay area and the cessation of visa service to non-US citizens at the US embassy in Eritrea.

Moreover, sources close the Eritrean Embassy in Washington, DC have indicated that the embassy has made visas application process easier for US citizens who want to travel and visit Eritrea.