Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NDJAMENA59
2005-01-18 06:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER FAKI GIVES SENATOR FEINGOLD A TOUR
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DOEE-00 PERC-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 CAC-00 VCE-00 M-00 NEA-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-00 NIMA-00 PA-00 MCC-00 GIWI-00 PRS-00 P-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /001W ------------------A53A85 180706Z /38 FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0770 INFO AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY ALGIERS AMEMBASSY DAKAR AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY NIAMEY AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL SECDEF WASHDC USEU BRUSSELS USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USLO TRIPOLI USMISSION GENEVA
C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 000059
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C, AF/SPG, PRM, USAID/OTI; LONDON AND
PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CD SU VIP
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER FAKI GIVES SENATOR FEINGOLD A TOUR
D'HORIZON
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Kathleen FitzGibbon for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 000059
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C, AF/SPG, PRM, USAID/OTI; LONDON AND
PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CD SU VIP
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER FAKI GIVES SENATOR FEINGOLD A TOUR
D'HORIZON
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Kathleen FitzGibbon for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. Prime Minister Moussa Faki shared the views
of the Chadian Government on a wide range of issues with
Senator Russell Feingold on January 13. Faki expressed his
frustration that the situation in Darfur remains unresolved
and his concerns about the plight of the local Chadian
populations in the East. The Prime Minister told Feingold
that he believes that Chadians will support the
Constitutional amendments, which include the removal of term
limits. Faki also said that stability is more important for
Chad that alternating power. Faki and Feingold touched on
other issues, such as Iraq and locusts. Both agreed that the
U.S.-Chadian relationship is strong and could grow closer.
End Summary.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ON THE CHAD-U.S. RELATIONSHIP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (C) Prime Minister Moussa Faki greeted Senator Feingold,
who was accompanied by the Ambassador, Feingold's staffer
Michelle Gavin, and other Embassy representatives. Faki told
Feingold that the United States has long cooperated with
Chad, but that the relationship can get even better in the
future. He pointed out the U.S. oil investment in Chad and
U.S. assistance to Chad on Darfur as examples of mutual
benefit. Faki said he had just come from eastern Chad where
he visited Farchana Refugee Camp. He told Feingold that the
local Chadian populations are suffering. The refugee influx,
lack of rain, and desertification has taken a huge toll on
the fragile environment, depleting firewood and water
resources. Faki explained that Chad is a mediator on Darfur
and needs a rapid peace agreement.
3. (C) Faki told Feingold that Chad had been a democracy for
fourteen years. In that time two elections had been held.
There are more than ten opposition parties, human rights
groups operate, and the press is free. He noted that the
government is attempting to advance human rights and
anti-corruption efforts in the country. The legal
instruments and government infrastructure is in place for the
management of the oil revenues. He noted that the Government
is working with its international partners to rehabilitate
the justice system, consolidate democracy, and fight
corruption.
4. (C) Faki continued, saying that counter-terrorism
cooperation must also continue because Chad falls within a
&zone of turbulence8 and is surrounded by many neighbors
with porous borders. Feingold asked Faki about the current
status of Chad,s relationship with Libya. Faki said that
Chadians expect their government to help stabilize their
situations and the well-being of Chadians living along the
Libyan border dictates that the GOC keep a good relationship
its northern neighbor.
- - - - -
ON DARFUR
- - - - -
5. (C) Feingold turned the conversation to Darfur and
expressed his appreciation for the GOC,s efforts toward the
Sudanese refugees. Feingold asked if the Sudanese rebel
movements have realistic agendas that will enable the
situation to be resolved. Faki said that he did not have an
answer because the situation on the ground has not stabilized
and he believes that many Darfurians fear the rebel
movements. He continued saying the Naivasha dynamic, in
which the U.S. had leverage over the GOS and Garang, is
needed to resolve Darfur. Faki said that both the GOS and
the Darfur rebel movements must be made to comply with their
agreements. Those members of the movements living in Europe
and elsewhere can no longer relate to the plight of the
people of Darfur and their suffering.
6. (C) In response to Feingold,s question as to the GOC,s
relationship with the rebel movements, Faki said that the GOC
was the first country to offer a venue for negotiations. The
first talks were held in Abeche and then N,Djamena. Faki
continued saying that peace talks have since been moved
elsewhere and there are those that accuse the GOC of helping
the National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD).
Chad is doing what it can to see the crisis end, Faki said.
Faki agreed with Feingold that the impact of the refugees in
Chad is negative. As long as the border area of Darfur is
not under Chadian or Sudanese Government control, livestock
theft and crime will continue to undermine Chadian security.
The region is awash with arms, Faki complained.
7. (C) Feingold asked about the Chadian and Sudanese
Government relations. Faki said that &you cannot choose
your neighbors8 and that Chad maintains good relations with
all of them, including Sudan.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ON U.S. INTEREST, IRAQ
- - - - - - - - - - - -
8. (C) Faki told Feingold that the U.S. is well-liked in
Chad, but that it seems the U.S. is losing interest. He
described fondly his experience learning English from the
Peace Corps and the presence that USAID once had in Chad.
After US AID,s departure, according to Faki, it is Esso's
presence that serves as a symbol of U.S. interest, but Esso
is only active in the oil producing area. The rest of Chad
does not have any U.S. presence.
9. (C) Feingold asked Faki about Chad,s views on the U.S.
intervention in Iraq. Faki initially answered that Chad
supports U.S. counter-terrorism goals. When pressed,
however, he told Feingold that Chad would have preferred a
United Nations-led intervention.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ON DEMOCRACY AND A THIRD TERM FOR DEBY
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10. (C) Feingold asked Faki about the status of the
Constitutional amendments. Faki explained that the
registration for the public referendum began on January 10.
The revisions are being undertaken according to the
Constitution itself. The amendments include abolishing the
Senate, which will be replaced by a Social and Economic
Council, and limitations on the number of presidential terms.
Feingold told Faki that he was, as a Senator, troubled by
abolishment of the Senate, but that he was more concerned
with the removal of presidential term limits. Faki explained
that the referendum was the second step in the amendment
process. Feingold asked if the amendments would pass and
Faki replied that yes they would because a solid majority of
Chadians supported them.
11. (C) Feingold said that he believes the example set by
President Alpha Konare of Mali, who left office after two
terms, was a good one to allow the country to progress
democratically. Feingold told Faki, that with all due
respect, it is important to have a process of change in place
to strengthen democracy. Feingold noted that former U.S.
President Bill Clinton loved being President and that there
probably is not a day that goes by when Clinton does not wake
up wishing that he still was in office. Clinton was a great
President, but it is still important that he stepped down at
the end of his second term, Feingold observed.
12. (C) Faki replied that the stability of the country is
more important than the number of presidential mandates. He
argued that Mali and the United States are stable countries.
Chad has endured thirty years of civil war just five years
after independence. When Chad achieves stability, Faki
claimed, then presidential term limits would be useful.
- - - - - -
ON LOCUSTS
- - - - - -
11. (C) Feingold expressed interest in the locust situation.
Faki said that Chad is a Sahelian country with climatic
problems and drought. The locust situation turned out not to
be too bad for Chad. There are, however, a few areas facing
famine in northern Chad and near Lake Chad due to the locusts
and lack of rain. The GOC would like food to be
pre-positioned in certain places in Chad to respond to a
potential famine. The refugees in eastern Chad are being
fed, but Chadians on the brink of famine are not.
- - - -
COMMENT
- - - -
12. (C) Senator Feingold,s meeting with Faki covered a
number of key issues of policy interest, but his message on
the importance of term presidential term limitations for the
development of democracy hit a nerve. Faki,s response was a
reiteration of an oft-heard theme and the ruling party,s
likely campaign slogan for the approval of the amendments:
the equating of Deby,s continuation in power with a
continuation of stability in Chad.
13. (U) Khartoum and Tripoli Minimize Considered.
WALL
NNNN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C, AF/SPG, PRM, USAID/OTI; LONDON AND
PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CD SU VIP
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER FAKI GIVES SENATOR FEINGOLD A TOUR
D'HORIZON
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Kathleen FitzGibbon for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. Prime Minister Moussa Faki shared the views
of the Chadian Government on a wide range of issues with
Senator Russell Feingold on January 13. Faki expressed his
frustration that the situation in Darfur remains unresolved
and his concerns about the plight of the local Chadian
populations in the East. The Prime Minister told Feingold
that he believes that Chadians will support the
Constitutional amendments, which include the removal of term
limits. Faki also said that stability is more important for
Chad that alternating power. Faki and Feingold touched on
other issues, such as Iraq and locusts. Both agreed that the
U.S.-Chadian relationship is strong and could grow closer.
End Summary.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ON THE CHAD-U.S. RELATIONSHIP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (C) Prime Minister Moussa Faki greeted Senator Feingold,
who was accompanied by the Ambassador, Feingold's staffer
Michelle Gavin, and other Embassy representatives. Faki told
Feingold that the United States has long cooperated with
Chad, but that the relationship can get even better in the
future. He pointed out the U.S. oil investment in Chad and
U.S. assistance to Chad on Darfur as examples of mutual
benefit. Faki said he had just come from eastern Chad where
he visited Farchana Refugee Camp. He told Feingold that the
local Chadian populations are suffering. The refugee influx,
lack of rain, and desertification has taken a huge toll on
the fragile environment, depleting firewood and water
resources. Faki explained that Chad is a mediator on Darfur
and needs a rapid peace agreement.
3. (C) Faki told Feingold that Chad had been a democracy for
fourteen years. In that time two elections had been held.
There are more than ten opposition parties, human rights
groups operate, and the press is free. He noted that the
government is attempting to advance human rights and
anti-corruption efforts in the country. The legal
instruments and government infrastructure is in place for the
management of the oil revenues. He noted that the Government
is working with its international partners to rehabilitate
the justice system, consolidate democracy, and fight
corruption.
4. (C) Faki continued, saying that counter-terrorism
cooperation must also continue because Chad falls within a
&zone of turbulence8 and is surrounded by many neighbors
with porous borders. Feingold asked Faki about the current
status of Chad,s relationship with Libya. Faki said that
Chadians expect their government to help stabilize their
situations and the well-being of Chadians living along the
Libyan border dictates that the GOC keep a good relationship
its northern neighbor.
- - - - -
ON DARFUR
- - - - -
5. (C) Feingold turned the conversation to Darfur and
expressed his appreciation for the GOC,s efforts toward the
Sudanese refugees. Feingold asked if the Sudanese rebel
movements have realistic agendas that will enable the
situation to be resolved. Faki said that he did not have an
answer because the situation on the ground has not stabilized
and he believes that many Darfurians fear the rebel
movements. He continued saying the Naivasha dynamic, in
which the U.S. had leverage over the GOS and Garang, is
needed to resolve Darfur. Faki said that both the GOS and
the Darfur rebel movements must be made to comply with their
agreements. Those members of the movements living in Europe
and elsewhere can no longer relate to the plight of the
people of Darfur and their suffering.
6. (C) In response to Feingold,s question as to the GOC,s
relationship with the rebel movements, Faki said that the GOC
was the first country to offer a venue for negotiations. The
first talks were held in Abeche and then N,Djamena. Faki
continued saying that peace talks have since been moved
elsewhere and there are those that accuse the GOC of helping
the National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD).
Chad is doing what it can to see the crisis end, Faki said.
Faki agreed with Feingold that the impact of the refugees in
Chad is negative. As long as the border area of Darfur is
not under Chadian or Sudanese Government control, livestock
theft and crime will continue to undermine Chadian security.
The region is awash with arms, Faki complained.
7. (C) Feingold asked about the Chadian and Sudanese
Government relations. Faki said that &you cannot choose
your neighbors8 and that Chad maintains good relations with
all of them, including Sudan.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ON U.S. INTEREST, IRAQ
- - - - - - - - - - - -
8. (C) Faki told Feingold that the U.S. is well-liked in
Chad, but that it seems the U.S. is losing interest. He
described fondly his experience learning English from the
Peace Corps and the presence that USAID once had in Chad.
After US AID,s departure, according to Faki, it is Esso's
presence that serves as a symbol of U.S. interest, but Esso
is only active in the oil producing area. The rest of Chad
does not have any U.S. presence.
9. (C) Feingold asked Faki about Chad,s views on the U.S.
intervention in Iraq. Faki initially answered that Chad
supports U.S. counter-terrorism goals. When pressed,
however, he told Feingold that Chad would have preferred a
United Nations-led intervention.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ON DEMOCRACY AND A THIRD TERM FOR DEBY
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10. (C) Feingold asked Faki about the status of the
Constitutional amendments. Faki explained that the
registration for the public referendum began on January 10.
The revisions are being undertaken according to the
Constitution itself. The amendments include abolishing the
Senate, which will be replaced by a Social and Economic
Council, and limitations on the number of presidential terms.
Feingold told Faki that he was, as a Senator, troubled by
abolishment of the Senate, but that he was more concerned
with the removal of presidential term limits. Faki explained
that the referendum was the second step in the amendment
process. Feingold asked if the amendments would pass and
Faki replied that yes they would because a solid majority of
Chadians supported them.
11. (C) Feingold said that he believes the example set by
President Alpha Konare of Mali, who left office after two
terms, was a good one to allow the country to progress
democratically. Feingold told Faki, that with all due
respect, it is important to have a process of change in place
to strengthen democracy. Feingold noted that former U.S.
President Bill Clinton loved being President and that there
probably is not a day that goes by when Clinton does not wake
up wishing that he still was in office. Clinton was a great
President, but it is still important that he stepped down at
the end of his second term, Feingold observed.
12. (C) Faki replied that the stability of the country is
more important than the number of presidential mandates. He
argued that Mali and the United States are stable countries.
Chad has endured thirty years of civil war just five years
after independence. When Chad achieves stability, Faki
claimed, then presidential term limits would be useful.
- - - - - -
ON LOCUSTS
- - - - - -
11. (C) Feingold expressed interest in the locust situation.
Faki said that Chad is a Sahelian country with climatic
problems and drought. The locust situation turned out not to
be too bad for Chad. There are, however, a few areas facing
famine in northern Chad and near Lake Chad due to the locusts
and lack of rain. The GOC would like food to be
pre-positioned in certain places in Chad to respond to a
potential famine. The refugees in eastern Chad are being
fed, but Chadians on the brink of famine are not.
- - - -
COMMENT
- - - -
12. (C) Senator Feingold,s meeting with Faki covered a
number of key issues of policy interest, but his message on
the importance of term presidential term limitations for the
development of democracy hit a nerve. Faki,s response was a
reiteration of an oft-heard theme and the ruling party,s
likely campaign slogan for the approval of the amendments:
the equating of Deby,s continuation in power with a
continuation of stability in Chad.
13. (U) Khartoum and Tripoli Minimize Considered.
WALL
NNNN