SENATOR FEINGOLD MEETS WITH DEFENSE MINISTER AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 000081

SIPDIS


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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CD SU VIP
SUBJECT: SENATOR FEINGOLD MEETS WITH DEFENSE MINISTER AND
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS


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


1. (C) Summary: Senator Russell Feingold expressed
appreciation for Chad's cooperation in the war on terror and
discussed human rights with Defense Minister Emmanuel
Nadingar during his visit on January 13. Nadingar welcomed
U.S. support for the Chadian military, which he says is
needed to help to transform the role of the armed forces in
society. He emphasized the resource needs of the Chadian
military to continue to fight terrorism, secure Chad's
eastern border, improve the human rights record of the
security forces, and play a positive supporting role for
Chad's democratic institutions. In a separate meeting, human
rights activists described Chad's human rights record as poor
and argued that strengthening the country's judicial system
is the key to punishing and deterring human rights abuses.
We are engaging Chadian ministers and human rights groups to
find ways to improve the human rights record of the security
forces. End Summary.

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TERRORISM
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2. (SBU) On January 13, Senator Russell Feingold, Ambassador
Wall, Senate Staff Assistant Michelle Gavin, military
assistant Ed Danielson, P/E officer and DATT met with
Minister for National Defense Emmanuel Nadingar, Deputy
Minister for Public Security Mahamat Gali Mallah, and Deputy
Minister for Justice Domaye Daniel. Defense Minister
Nadingar thanked Senator Feingold for his visit and for U.S.
collaboration on counter-terrorism. Nadingar was very
appreciative of the Defense Attache,s Office and the U.S.
military,s efforts to increase Chad,s capacity to fight
terrorism. Chad,s military has benefited from logistics
assistance and information sharing. Nadingar said that
working together, Chad and the United States have been
effective in countering the terrorist threat.


3. (C) Nadingar told Feingold that the cooperation of Chad,s
neighbors is critical to counter-terrorism. He said that
Algeria, Niger, and Libya provide information on rebel and
terrorist movements. The coordination effort among the
neighbors is generally good. Algeria provided a wide range
of assistance, including medical treatment for Chadians
injured during clashes with the Salafists. Nadingar wants an
anti-terrorism system in place before the next threat
develops. He said that real-time information that will allow
Chad to track the terrorists is an important need. He fears
that if terrorists make it into Chad, they can have an effect
on all of Chad.


4. (C) Nadingar said that the relationship between the
Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT) and Al Para
was dangerous and he is worried about the development of
similar linkages between local rebel groups and international
terrorists. Such a group could become a terrorist group and
undermine civil society institutions by providing them
support and coopting them. In the case of Al Para, he needed
assistance getting around northern Chad and the MDJT had that
expertise. However, Al Para did not give the MDJT the
assistance they expected in return and as a result turned him
over.


5. (C) Feingold asked about other rebel activity in Chad.
Nadingar said that Chad,s former Ambassador to the United
States Soubiane is organizing a movement in another country.
(Comment: Sudan. End Comment.) The MDJT is negotiating a
peace agreement with the Government. There are other small
groups acting in their own interests that remain unfocused
and without a political agenda. Still, there are some
Chadians that might want to transform these groups into a
real threat to the regime.

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DARFUR
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6. (SBU) Nadingar told Feingold that the crisis in Darfur
has a deep impact in Chad. He added that Chad needs to
ensure security on its 1,000-kilometer eastern border and
must work with Sudan to ensure that security. Nadingar
opined that the east could be an important economic zone if
the area was stable. He noted that Chad has welcomed a large
number of refugees and that the Sudanese refugees are equal
to or outnumber local populations. Unfortunately, Nadingar
pointed out, some of the Sudanese refugees still maintain a
&war mentality8 from their experience in Sudan and have
become a source of security problems in Chad.

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LIBYA
- - -


7. (C) Feingold asked about the state of Chad,s
relationship with Libya. Nadingar said it is important for
Chad to maintain its relationship with Libya for the
well-being of Chadians living near the border.

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HUMAN RIGHTS
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8. (SBU) Feingold asked Nadingar what happens to members of
the security forces that commit human rights violations.
Nadingar began by telling Feingold that the armed forces will
not be benefiting from the influx of oil revenues and that
without funding, the army can be a destabilizing force. He
explained that for a long period of time, the military
included a large number of security personnel. He admitted
that many of them behaved badly and were responsible for
abuses. Currently, the military sanctions perpetrators,
jails them, and kicks them out of the army. Feingold thanked
Nadingar for his response and emphasized the importance of
accountability in cases of human rights abuses.


9. (SBU) The Minister told Feingold that there is a full
review of the military coming up in April. He noted that the
military,s ability to defend the country is essential for
Chad,s development. The Army can assist in ensuring peace
and security throughout Chad. Nadingar said that he wants to
increase salaries for soldiers and build better camps to
improve living conditions for them. There is a need for
training, particularly skills training for soldiers that are
retiring. A new generation of soldiers need to be
indoctrinated to civilian rule. The military needs more
logistics support. Nadingar said that he wants to deliver a
strong message that will help the military change and adapt
to democracy. He said that Chadians must understand why it
is important to strengthen, not weaken, its military forces,
to facilitate its transformation. He welcomed U.S.
assistance for these objectives.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ROUNDTABLE
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10. (SBU) Feingold asked prominent human rights activists
for their views on the human rights situation in Chad, the
perpetrators of abuses, the treatment of opposition party
leaders and activists by the government, and their views on
the fight against terrorism. The activists pointed out that
members of the security forces and armed bandits are
responsible for most of the human rights abuses. The
activists also expressed concern that the government does not
consult the public on key urban planning issues, particularly
planned housing developments. The proposed Toumai housing
project, for example, will displace thousands of N'Djamena
residents yet there have been no public consultations over
the issue.


11. (SBU) Members of the group told Feingold that within
N'Djamena, they are free to conduct their human
rights-related activities. Outside N'Djamena, however, they
have experienced problems with local government officials and

security personnel. They told Feingold that the weakness of
the judiciary remains a key challenge to improving Chad's
human rights record because a functioning judiciary could
help deter abuses and improve the human rights situation.
They argued that a strong judicial system, for example, could
have prevented the detention of political party leaders in

2001.


12. (SBU) Regarding U.S. efforts to fight terrorism, the
group expressed concerns about the amount of resources
mobilized. They are worried about their ability to get
support from the United States if they criticize their
government. They appealed for more U.S. assistance to help
improve the human rights situation in Chad.

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COMMENT
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13. (C) Nadingar is interested in reforming the military,
including improving its poor human rights record. We are
engaging him directly on human rights issues but agree that
payment of salaries and training are key factors in improving
the human rights situation in Chad. Perhaps the upcoming
"Status of the Army" review is an opportunity to help support
these reform efforts. We agree with the human rights
activists that strengthening Chad's judiciary is critical if
human rights abuses are to be deterred and punished.


14. Khartoum and Tripoli Minimize Considered.
WALL


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