Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NDJAMENA1360
2006-11-26 20:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:  

CHADIAN REBEL OFFENSIVE--EVENING UPDATE

Tags:  PREL PGOV PREF MOPS CD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8478
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHNJ #1360 3302001
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 262001Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4607
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 0351
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001360 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS. EUCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF MOPS CD
SUBJECT: CHADIAN REBEL OFFENSIVE--EVENING UPDATE

REF: A. N'DJAMENA 1358


B. N'DJAMENA 1356

C. N'DJAMENA 1357

Classified By: Poloff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001360

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS. EUCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF MOPS CD
SUBJECT: CHADIAN REBEL OFFENSIVE--EVENING UPDATE

REF: A. N'DJAMENA 1358


B. N'DJAMENA 1356

C. N'DJAMENA 1357

Classified By: Poloff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (C) As of 1900 hours local, the French Ambassador
reported that the UFDD rebel column which withdrew from
Abeche (13,49 N; 20,49 E) this morning, 11/26, was
approximately 100 KM northeast of Abeche and that the
northern SCUD (RaFD) column was approximately 100 KM west of
Biltine, significantly east of Ati where independent sources
placed it earlier this afternoon. Both columns have halted
for the night, according to French sources.


2. (C) The Chadian National Army (ANT) reportedly is
establishing defensive positions 5 to 10 KM outside of
N'Djamena. Emboffs noted an increased ANT presence in the
city as evening approached, including at least one tank near
the presidential palace. Civilian traffic, however, appeared
normal for a Sunday evening.


3. (U) The United Nations has declared a "level IV" state
of readiness for its operations in Abeche, i.e., the UN is
evacuating non-essential personnel. In N'Djamena, the UN has
gone to "level III", which is an evacuation of dependents.


4. (U) The French Embassy has told French citizens that the
French school will be open tomorrow, 11/27, but warned them
to remain vigilant. The American school director has decided
to close the school tomorrow. Air France is flying tonight
as scheduled, but there are no empty seats.


5. (C) The Embassy held an EAC at 1900 hours local and
decide to consolidate staff at the Embassy housing compound
and at the chancery. TDY personnel may remain at their
hotels if the hotels are designated as French military
evacuation pick-up points. The Embassy will open tomorrow
with reduced FSN staff. The consular officer issued a warden
message tonight, and the EAC will reconvene tomorrow.


6. (C) Comment. Rebel intentions are unclear at this time.
They could resume heir westward push toward N'Djamena
tomorrow or uesday, or they could turn east and return to
thir encampments in Sudan. Current betting is that hey
will g east--but no one is putting a lot of money on it.
WALL