Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS7025
2006-10-25 17:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRANCE/CHAD: STORM HAS BLOWN OVER
how-toVZCZCXRO9976 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHFR #7025 2981751 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251751Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2531 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE 0118 RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA IMMEDIATE 1096 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0946
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007025
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM CD FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE/CHAD: STORM HAS BLOWN OVER
REF: HOTR 25172Z
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reas
ons 1.4b,d
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007025
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM CD FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE/CHAD: STORM HAS BLOWN OVER
REF: HOTR 25172Z
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reas
ons 1.4b,d
1. (C) Bruno Foucher, MFA AF DAS-Equivalent assured Africa
Watcher late October 25 that the rebel attacks near Mongo had
petered out and the rebels were dispersing -- some headed
toward the southern border with the Central African Republic,
others toward the north. Foucher, who leaves in November to
become the next French Ambassador in Chad, described the
situation as under control, a view he said was shared by
Chadian President Deby. Foucher derided the decision by
Exxon/Mobil to order dependents to leave as "over the top."
2. (C) Foucher said the assault on Mongo was organized by
four minor rebel groups in association with Mahamat Nouri.
He did not understand the motive for the incursion into
Mongo, which he said had been brief and had not caused
significant damage. Chadian military forces, with
helicopters, had attempted to counter-attack this morning, he
said, but he did not have an update on the skirmish.
Whatever the damages sustained or not, the rebel column had
pulled back before dispersing. (Note: DATT reports reftel
information provided by the French military that the rebel
elements that had broken off to the north have since
regrouped with those heading southward.)
3. (C) Helene Le Gal, MFA AF DAS-Equivalent who covers the
Horn, including Darfur but minus Chad, concurred with
Foucher's assessment during a separate October 25
conversation with Africa Watcher. She volunteered that the
last two days had been dicey. The rebel firing of a surface
to air missile against French aircraft was a very disturbing
development, she judged. The Sudanese military was almost
certainly the supplier. She observed that the clashes had
thus far not triggered bellicose exchanges between N'djamena
and Khartoum, preserving the cosmetic truce that has held
since August.
4. (C) Presidential African Affairs Counselor Michel de
Bonnecorse stressed on October 20 to U.S. Ambassador to Chad
Marc Wall, who was transiting Paris on his return to post,
that French forces will scrupulously abide by their policy of
not opening fire on any Chadian nationals, including rebels
(septel). Bonnecorse admitted he had refused appeals for
robust French intervention from Deby and certain African
heads of states during the April assault against N'djamena.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM CD FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE/CHAD: STORM HAS BLOWN OVER
REF: HOTR 25172Z
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reas
ons 1.4b,d
1. (C) Bruno Foucher, MFA AF DAS-Equivalent assured Africa
Watcher late October 25 that the rebel attacks near Mongo had
petered out and the rebels were dispersing -- some headed
toward the southern border with the Central African Republic,
others toward the north. Foucher, who leaves in November to
become the next French Ambassador in Chad, described the
situation as under control, a view he said was shared by
Chadian President Deby. Foucher derided the decision by
Exxon/Mobil to order dependents to leave as "over the top."
2. (C) Foucher said the assault on Mongo was organized by
four minor rebel groups in association with Mahamat Nouri.
He did not understand the motive for the incursion into
Mongo, which he said had been brief and had not caused
significant damage. Chadian military forces, with
helicopters, had attempted to counter-attack this morning, he
said, but he did not have an update on the skirmish.
Whatever the damages sustained or not, the rebel column had
pulled back before dispersing. (Note: DATT reports reftel
information provided by the French military that the rebel
elements that had broken off to the north have since
regrouped with those heading southward.)
3. (C) Helene Le Gal, MFA AF DAS-Equivalent who covers the
Horn, including Darfur but minus Chad, concurred with
Foucher's assessment during a separate October 25
conversation with Africa Watcher. She volunteered that the
last two days had been dicey. The rebel firing of a surface
to air missile against French aircraft was a very disturbing
development, she judged. The Sudanese military was almost
certainly the supplier. She observed that the clashes had
thus far not triggered bellicose exchanges between N'djamena
and Khartoum, preserving the cosmetic truce that has held
since August.
4. (C) Presidential African Affairs Counselor Michel de
Bonnecorse stressed on October 20 to U.S. Ambassador to Chad
Marc Wall, who was transiting Paris on his return to post,
that French forces will scrupulously abide by their policy of
not opening fire on any Chadian nationals, including rebels
(septel). Bonnecorse admitted he had refused appeals for
robust French intervention from Deby and certain African
heads of states during the April assault against N'djamena.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON