CHAD: FRENCH VIEWS POST-REFERENDUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004755 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015 TAGS: CD FR PGOV PREL SU SUBJECT: CHAD: FRENCH VIEWS POST-REFERENDUM REF: NDJAMENA 1020 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In a meeting with MFA AF PDAS-equivalent Elisabeth Barbier on July 1 to discuss various Africa issues, Embassy Africa watcher raised the situation in Chad after the June 6 referendum. Barbier responded that the MFA was concerned about the situation and that the French Ambassador to Chad shared that view. She noted that there were internal tensions within Chad and that the crisis in Darfur was destabilizing the region. Regarding the referendum itself, Barbier agreed that voter turnout had been low, and remarked that it was mostly the southern parts of Chad that voted "yes." Barbier added that Deby would remain in France for medical treatment and recuperation for at least another week. ¶2. (C) Africa watcher did not/not raise concerns about rebels in the region around the Sudan border (reftel). If Barbier was aware of these rebel groups' activities, she did not volunteer any information. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: As we have previously reported, France is unlikely to object should Deby seek to to run for a third term and prolong his rule. END COMMENT. ¶4. (U) KHARTOUM MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. STAPLETON