Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NDJAMENA210
2006-02-13 14:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:
CHAD:DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST DANISH CARTOONS
how-toVZCZCXRO9225 RR RUEHGI DE RUEHNJ #0210 0441454 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131454Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3105 INFO RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 1105 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0046 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 2432 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1539 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0896 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0618
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000210
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER, DEPARTMENT FOR
CA/OSC/ACS,/DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA AND AF/C
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASCR CD
SUBJECT: CHAD:DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST DANISH CARTOONS
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000210
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER, DEPARTMENT FOR
CA/OSC/ACS,/DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA AND AF/C
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASCR CD
SUBJECT: CHAD:DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST DANISH CARTOONS
1. At approximately 0800 on February 11, 2006 a group of
3,000 Chadians
gathered at the Grand Mosque, located approximately 2 miles
from the U.S.
Embassy, to protest the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet
Mohammed. The
group proceeded to the parade ground in front of the
Presidential Palace.
After presenting a petition to a representative of the
government (the Minister for
Territorial Administration) the group dispersed into smaller
groups composed
reportedly of youths and "hardliners." These headed towards
the French Embassy,
the American Embassy and other points. French Embassy
reported to DCM that
the police effectively blocked the protesters from the
perimeter of the Embassy
but evidence of stones and other debris could be seen in
front of the Embassy
later that day. The French also reported that some French
residences were stoned.
Chadian police escorted children of European nationals home
from the French
School.
2. Other groups headed towards Avenue Charles de Gaulle, the
main shopping
street frequented by Westerners and other expatriates. There
three cars
belonging to expatriates (identified by having green
diplomatic plates) were
burned and ten cars were lightly damaged. A Scottish
missionary was pulled
from her car (which was subsequently looted and burned) but
was not personally
harmed. No Americans were harmed. Some Americans reported
that they were
warned by Chadians to avoid areas of demonstration.
3. The Embassy learned of the planned demonstration by word
of mouth
and issued an All Call message via the radio system the
evening of Friday,
February 10. A warden message was released via e-mail and
text message
the morning of February 11 urging people to avoid unnecessary
travel and remain
indoors until the situation calmed down. The Chadian riot
police set up
barricades on both ends of the street in front of the Embassy
to deter people
from gathering there. Around 1000 police began using tear
gas to disperse
the crowds, and by approximately 1200 the situation in the
city had returned
to normal, although Americans were urged to use caution and
avoid large groups
of people.
4. Post convened the EAC on February 13 to review the
security posture and
concluded that the current posture is appropriate. WALL
WALL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER, DEPARTMENT FOR
CA/OSC/ACS,/DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA AND AF/C
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASCR CD
SUBJECT: CHAD:DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST DANISH CARTOONS
1. At approximately 0800 on February 11, 2006 a group of
3,000 Chadians
gathered at the Grand Mosque, located approximately 2 miles
from the U.S.
Embassy, to protest the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet
Mohammed. The
group proceeded to the parade ground in front of the
Presidential Palace.
After presenting a petition to a representative of the
government (the Minister for
Territorial Administration) the group dispersed into smaller
groups composed
reportedly of youths and "hardliners." These headed towards
the French Embassy,
the American Embassy and other points. French Embassy
reported to DCM that
the police effectively blocked the protesters from the
perimeter of the Embassy
but evidence of stones and other debris could be seen in
front of the Embassy
later that day. The French also reported that some French
residences were stoned.
Chadian police escorted children of European nationals home
from the French
School.
2. Other groups headed towards Avenue Charles de Gaulle, the
main shopping
street frequented by Westerners and other expatriates. There
three cars
belonging to expatriates (identified by having green
diplomatic plates) were
burned and ten cars were lightly damaged. A Scottish
missionary was pulled
from her car (which was subsequently looted and burned) but
was not personally
harmed. No Americans were harmed. Some Americans reported
that they were
warned by Chadians to avoid areas of demonstration.
3. The Embassy learned of the planned demonstration by word
of mouth
and issued an All Call message via the radio system the
evening of Friday,
February 10. A warden message was released via e-mail and
text message
the morning of February 11 urging people to avoid unnecessary
travel and remain
indoors until the situation calmed down. The Chadian riot
police set up
barricades on both ends of the street in front of the Embassy
to deter people
from gathering there. Around 1000 police began using tear
gas to disperse
the crowds, and by approximately 1200 the situation in the
city had returned
to normal, although Americans were urged to use caution and
avoid large groups
of people.
4. Post convened the EAC on February 13 to review the
security posture and
concluded that the current posture is appropriate. WALL
WALL