Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NDJAMENA94
2007-01-31 11:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:
CHAD: PRESIDENT DEBY ASKS TO BUY FOUR C-130
how-toVZCZCXRO3463 RR RUEHGI DE RUEHNJ #0094 0311137 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 311137Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4880 INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1350 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0894 RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 1304 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0396 RUEHLC/AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE 0964 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1634 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 2897 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2088 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 1466 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0947 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0901
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000094
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP EFIN PGOV PREL CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: PRESIDENT DEBY ASKS TO BUY FOUR C-130
AIRCRAFT
REF: A. NDJAMENA 43
B. WALL-ASHRAF EMAIL MESSAGE OF 1/30/07
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000094
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP EFIN PGOV PREL CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: PRESIDENT DEBY ASKS TO BUY FOUR C-130
AIRCRAFT
REF: A. NDJAMENA 43
B. WALL-ASHRAF EMAIL MESSAGE OF 1/30/07
1. (U) President Idriss Deby Itno has sent a letter to the
President requesting approval for the purchase of four new
C-130 aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales program.
Dated January 19 and delivered by Chadian Ambassador to the
United States Mahamoud Bechir to the Ambassador January 30,
the letter asks for immediate delivery of one C-130H model
from existing U.S. Air Force stocks using presidential
drawdown authority. It also requests authorization to obtain
three newer C-130J aircraft, including one to be diverted
from existing USAF production lines for expedited delivery.
2. (U) In his meeting with the Ambassador, Ambassador
Bechir stressed the urgency of obtaining these aircraft to
meet Chad's security and humanitarian needs. The Ambassador
said we look forward to working together on Chad's request,
but advised that some aspects, including the use of
presidential drawdown authority, will pose difficulties and
require careful review.
3. (U) In other activities involving the proposed purchase
of the C-130 aircraft, Air Force Major (and DOD C-130 expert)
Jim Mueller was in N'Djamena January 21-23 for technical
discussions. On January 25 the Ambassador received
Jean-Christophe Heidsieck, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order
of Malta in Cameroon. Heidsieck had represented Lockheed
Martin in its sale of two C-130 aircraft to Chad in the late
1980's. He was visiting Chad to pursue various business
interests, including as a consultant for the company in its
current efforts in Chad.
4. (SBU) Comment: President Deby has taken a personal
interest in this purchase. As noted in ref A, we question
Chad's need for four new aircraft, whether it can afford
them, whether other aircraft would be more suitable, and
whether the purchase would conform with its commitments to
the IMF and World Bank on managing oil revenues. The request
also raises concerns about perceptions that the aircraft will
be used to protect a regime that has stymied credible
democratic reforms. While we are prepared to concur in a
decision to approve the transaction, we believe full due
diligence is required. End Comment
5. (U) We have sent by email to AF/C a scanned copy of the
letter (ref B) and will forward the original by pouch.
WALL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP EFIN PGOV PREL CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: PRESIDENT DEBY ASKS TO BUY FOUR C-130
AIRCRAFT
REF: A. NDJAMENA 43
B. WALL-ASHRAF EMAIL MESSAGE OF 1/30/07
1. (U) President Idriss Deby Itno has sent a letter to the
President requesting approval for the purchase of four new
C-130 aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales program.
Dated January 19 and delivered by Chadian Ambassador to the
United States Mahamoud Bechir to the Ambassador January 30,
the letter asks for immediate delivery of one C-130H model
from existing U.S. Air Force stocks using presidential
drawdown authority. It also requests authorization to obtain
three newer C-130J aircraft, including one to be diverted
from existing USAF production lines for expedited delivery.
2. (U) In his meeting with the Ambassador, Ambassador
Bechir stressed the urgency of obtaining these aircraft to
meet Chad's security and humanitarian needs. The Ambassador
said we look forward to working together on Chad's request,
but advised that some aspects, including the use of
presidential drawdown authority, will pose difficulties and
require careful review.
3. (U) In other activities involving the proposed purchase
of the C-130 aircraft, Air Force Major (and DOD C-130 expert)
Jim Mueller was in N'Djamena January 21-23 for technical
discussions. On January 25 the Ambassador received
Jean-Christophe Heidsieck, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order
of Malta in Cameroon. Heidsieck had represented Lockheed
Martin in its sale of two C-130 aircraft to Chad in the late
1980's. He was visiting Chad to pursue various business
interests, including as a consultant for the company in its
current efforts in Chad.
4. (SBU) Comment: President Deby has taken a personal
interest in this purchase. As noted in ref A, we question
Chad's need for four new aircraft, whether it can afford
them, whether other aircraft would be more suitable, and
whether the purchase would conform with its commitments to
the IMF and World Bank on managing oil revenues. The request
also raises concerns about perceptions that the aircraft will
be used to protect a regime that has stymied credible
democratic reforms. While we are prepared to concur in a
decision to approve the transaction, we believe full due
diligence is required. End Comment
5. (U) We have sent by email to AF/C a scanned copy of the
letter (ref B) and will forward the original by pouch.
WALL