CHAD PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH CODEL MCGOVERN

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000309 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM CD SUBJECT: CHAD PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH CODEL MCGOVERN REF: NDJAMENA 0275 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Massachusetts Congressman James P. McGovern, Ranking Minrity Member of the House Subcommittee on Rules mt on April 5 with Chad Prime Minister Nouradine elwa Kassire Koumakoye. Kassire spoke at length about his countr's relationship with the U.S. and fforts to resolve the Darfur conflict. Kassire as "highly appreciative" of the attitude of the eople of the U.S., and said that "if the U.S.really became involved," the Darfur crisis would be solved. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Massachusetts Congressman James P. McGovern, Ranking Minority Member of the House Subcommittee on Rules met on April 5 with Prime Minister Nouradine Delwa Kassire Koumakoye on the first day of a three-day visit to Chad. The Ambassador and Pol/Econ officer (notetaker) accompanied the Congressman. The Congressman's 40-minute conversation with Kassire focused primarily on the increasing instability in eastern Chad and the Darfur crisis. Electoral reform for the upcoming communal and legislative elections was also discussed. ¶3. (U) Kassire commented that the refugees are facing a number of problems, including intimidation and coercion and many leaders feel that the camps serve as a source of rebel recruitment. Due to these issues, the camps should be moved further away from the Sudanese border, he said. In addition, tensions between the refugees, IDPs and the local population present challenges to the government and emergency relief efforts. The international community has only focused on activities focused on addressing IDP needs and has neglected the needs of the host community, he commented. This will continue to strain relations between these groups and cause more fighting. ¶4. (U) Responding to a comment from the Congressman on Chad's delay of the election census (ref A),Kassire explained that in order to ensure that elections are fair, the government needed the electoral law to be improved. When this happens - and with the support of the EU and the UN - the government will hold the communal and legislative elections. Congressman McGovern responded that the U.S. wants to promote democracy in Chad and we look forward to helping set the stage for free and fair elections. ¶5. (U) Congressman McGovern also mentioned U.S. support for the proposed peacekeeping force in Chad and Sudan. Kassire responded by saying that it is important to get other countries (i.e. Arab League members) more involved in the Darfur crisis. Kassire spoke at length about his country's relationship with the U.S. and efforts to resolve the Darfur conflict. Kassire was "highly appreciative" of the attitude of the people of the U.S., and said that "if the U.S. really became involved," the Darfur crisis would be solved. ¶5. (U) CODEL McGovern did not have the opportunity to clear this message. ¶6. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. WALL