GENERAL WALD COMES TO CHAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 000589

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, DRL, INR, P/M, LONDON AND PARIS
FOR AFRICAWATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2015
TAGS: MOPS MARR PGOV CD VIP
SUBJECT: GENERAL WALD COMES TO CHAD

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Kathleen FitzGibbon for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: General Wald, Deputy Commander, U.S.
European Command, visited the U.S.-trained Pan Sahel Unit and
held meetings with President Idriss Deby, Minister of Defense
Emmanuel Nadingar, and Chief of Defense Mahamat Saleh Kaya
during his trip to Chad from April 10 to 11. President Deby
reviewed with General Wald the terrorist threats facing Chad
and appealed for international support to assist Chad in
meeting the threat. Wald told President Deby that the U.S.
will be continuing its training of Chadian forces over the
long term. During his visit, Wald heard about the upcoming
review of the Chadian military, which is set to begin on
April 15. Wald also saw that U.S. military training is a
great source of pride for the Chadian military and a solid
basis for future collaboration. End Summary.

- - - - - - - - - - -
PAN-SAHEL UNIT VISIT
- - - - - - - - - - -


2. (C) Wald received a warm welcome from the Anti-Terrorism
Unit (ATU) of the Chadian military that was trained under the
Pan-Sahel Initiative in June and July 2004. The unit's
designation was changed from the PSI unit to the ATU in
August of 2004. It consists of 173 soldiers, 13 vehicles,
150 AK-47s, 12 PKMs, 6 RPG 7s, 16 radios, 16 GPSs, 17
binoculars, and 35 compasses. The unit had just returned
from a six-week mission to southeastern Chad two hours prior
to Wald's arrival. Wald reviewed the troops, U.S.-provided
Toyota trucks, and radio equipment. He talked with the
soldiers about their experiences on missions. The soldiers
showed him how they pack everything that they need, including
luggage, water, fuel, weapons, and ammunition into the back
of the pick-ups. Each truck also carries fifteen soldiers on
top of the vehicle. Wald was surprised to hear no one had
ever fallen off. The soldiers indicated that they were ready
for more training.


3. (C) In his briefing, Republican Guard Commander Col.
Abakar Itno described the potential threats in northern Chad,
the southern oil producing area, along the border with Sudan
and the Central African Republic. He also described the
difficulty controlling Chad's numerous frontiers against
rebels, the GSPC, contraband, and other clandestine traffic.
In addition to refugees, the Darfur crisis has brought
environmental damage, arms traffic, conflict with local
populations, and jandjaweed incursions. The Chadian military
also is concerned that the instability in Darfur will have a
spillover effect in Chad and that it could also make the
country vulnerable to an influx of terrorism, contraband, and
to the transit of Islamic fundamentalists on its border with
Sudan.

- - - - - - - -
PRESIDENT DEBY
- - - - - - - -


4. (C) President Idris Deby expressed appreciation for U.S.
military assistance in his meeting with General Wald on April

10. Deby hoped that Chad's bilateral relationship with the
United States could return to the level of cooperation
experienced in the 1980s. He noted that the Chadian military
is already benefiting from closer ties and said that many of
Chad's top officers and engineers were trained in the U.S.
Deby said that Chad has helped the international community's
fight against terrorism and that Chad is very happy with the
training it has received.


5. (C) Despite these initiatives, Deby continued, Chad is a
large country and the number of troops trained to date are
not enough to counter its many external and internal threats.
According to Deby, the Darfur crisis presents opportunities
for terrorists to infiltrate groups to cause harm to Chad.
He pointed out that in neighboring Nigeria, there are foreign
non-governmental organizations that provide cover for
terrorist activities. Even in Niger, which is experiencing
positive political change, there are extremist religious

leaders that hold key constitutencies. Major American oil
companies with a significant investment in Chad are also
vulnerable. Deby pointed out that no country can face all
these challenges alone and that a combined effort is required
to defeat these threats. Chad is looking for ways and means,
but lacks equipment and training to match the size of the
threat. He expressed his satisfaction that the international
community is incorporating the entire Sahel in its plans.


6. (C) General Wald praised the Chadian military's efforts
against the GSPC and told Deby he was encouraged by Chad's
willingness to participate in U.S. training programs. Wald
said the U.S. European Command will continue its training
initiatives, with a focus on the interoperability of various
militaries. Wald announced that Chad will be the first
country in which the U.S. begins its Trans-Sahara
Counter-Terrorism Training Initiative (TSCTI). He hopes that
the TSCTI will including training over extended periods of
time, perhaps from five to ten years, that will be
complemented by information sharing, development of
communications interoperability, and various training
exercises. Wald emphasized that democracy, transparency, and
a professional military are important to attracting
additional U.S. cooperation. EUCOM also has programs for oil
pipeline security, something that might be useful for Chad.


7. (C) Wald asked Deby about security in the Gulf of Guinea,
where Chad's oil pipeline reaches the sea. Deby replied that
the issue has only just begun to be discussed among
neighboring countries. It was raised at the last summit of
Central African countries, according to Deby, but no common
strategy or policy has been established.


8. (C) Wald praised Chad's willingness to conduct a review
of its military. Deby said that the current army is an
amalgamation of various opposition groups that came to power
with the government in 1990. They were kept in the military,
but now the government is looking for ways to downsize the
army to an appropriate size, clarify the military's mission
and objectives, and transform the military into a national
force.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CHIEF OF DEFENSE MAHAMAT SALEH KAYA
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


9. (C) On April 11, General Wald met with Chief of Defense
Staff General Mahamat Saleh Kaya. Wald said he was impressed
that the Chadian military is conducting a review of its size,
composition, needs, and objectives. Wald told Kaya that the
United States would like the TSCTI to be continuous and span
a five to ten year period. He also stressed the importance
of improving the interoperability of military forces in the
region. Kaya described the Chadian military's relations with
neighboring countries, like Niger, as good. However, Chad is
concerned about problems with Sudan. Kaya also said that
Chad needs an adequately paid, trained, and equipped military
to best ensure the country's security. He also pointed out
that all over Africa, there are poorly paid and trained
militaries in countries with political instability. Kaya
thanked General Wald for continuing U.S. training, but
remarked that ultimately, it is the good will of the
population that will win the war on terror.

- - - - - - - - - -
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
- - - - - - - - - -


10. (C) In meetings with Defense Minister Emmanual Nadingar
on April 10 and 11, Wald discussed the importance of the
military conducting a review of its role in society and areas
for improvement and noted that Chad is one of the few
countries in his area of responsibility that is carrying one
out. Nadingar expressed Chad's interest in continuing
collaboration. Wald told the Defense Minister that the ATU's
success has demonstrated to the U.S. Government that Chad is
a good partner. He also informed Nadingar that Chad will be
receiving more U.S. training. He praised the Chadian
military's operations in the north against the GSPC. Nadingar

agreed that the GSPC operation represented a new challenge
for Chad and that more assistance is needed to help Chad
avoid and suppress any future incursions. Nadingar also
raised the issue of the possibility of obtaining spare parts
for Chad's C-130 aircraft. He expressed appreciation for
General Wald's previous comments that the U.S. would find
ways to support the recommendations of the upcoming military
review. The Defense Minister also requested assistance with
providing two professors to conduct English language training
with the Chadian military. He noted that downsizing and
reinsertion of troops into society also will require support.
Nadingar also told Wald that he hoped this would not be his
last visit to Chad.

- - - -
COMMENT
- - - -


11. (C) Chadian officials were very pleased with General
Wald's visit. It reinforced our current military
collaboration and laid the foundation for future training
opportunities.

12. (U) General Wald did not have an opportunity to clear
this cable prior to departure.


13. (U) Khartoum and Tripoli Minimize Considered.
WALL


NNNN