* Isaias makes decisions on his own, enjoys carpentry
* Eritrea's military most likely to trigger change
By Aaron Maasho
ADDIS ABABA, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki is a "recluse" who makes decisions in isolation and whose regime is a single bullet away from imploding, according to an Ethiopian security official cited by leaked U.S. cables.
In a meeting last year with former U.S. envoy to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto, the head of the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service, Getachew Assefa, detailed conversations with one of Isaias' bodyguards who defected to Ethiopia.
"The bodyguard remarked that Isaias was a recluse who spent his days painting and tinkering with gadgets and carpentry works," Getachew said.
"Isaias appeared to make decisions with no discussion with his advisors. It was difficult to tell how Isaias would react every day and his moods changed constantly."
Eritrea is one of the world's most secretive nations and has frosty relations with most of its neighbours having been involved in border disputes with Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The U.N. Security Council slapped sanctions on Asmara last year on charges it provided funds and weapons to Islamist insurgents in Somalia, a claim it denies.
Analysts and rights groups accuse the Eritrean president of turning the Horn of Africa nation into a "giant prison" where scores of opponents are subject to arbitrary detentions and torture.
Eritrea fiercely denies claims that it is working to destabilise its neighbours, accusing Addis Ababa of conducting a "smear campaign".
Eritrean opposition officials residing in Ethiopia say Isaias is now on his last legs and routinely appeal for support to quicken his downfall.
In a separate cable, the former U.S. ambassador to Eritrea, Ronald McMullen, said the Horn of Africa nation's military were the most likely to prompt any eventual change.
"Although the regime is one bullet away from implosion, Eritrea's resilience as a country is based on a strong sense of nationalism ? and the capacity of most Eritreans to withstand suffering and deprivation with forbearance and toughness," the cable said.
"Any sudden change in government is likely to be initiated from within the military."
Eritrea has one of the largest armies in Africa fed by its yearly conscription of men and women aged 15 to 45. Some analysts blame the prolonged service for Eritrea's refugee exodus which now amounts to tens of thousands every year, according to the UN. (Editing by Richard Lough)
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