CHAD: UFDD, FSR'S DIFFERING VIEWS ON NEGOTIATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000576 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, AND AF/C NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON PARIS FOR KANEDA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2013 TAGS: PREL PGOV AU CD SU LY SUBJECT: CHAD: UFDD, FSR'S DIFFERING VIEWS ON NEGOTIATIONS REF: A. KHARTOUM 564 ¶B. KHARTOUM 501 KHARTOUM 00000576 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (U) This message includes an action request. Please see para. 7. -------------- -------------- UFDD: Negotiations with Political Opposition, Observers -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In separate conversations, representatives from two Chadian rebel movements, the Union des Forces du Developpement et de la Democratie (UFDD) and the Front du Salut de la Republique (FSR),presented somewhat differing views on political dialogue with the Chadian Government. On April 11, UFDD President Mahamat Nouri told Poloff by phone that the National Alliance (AN) remains open to negotiations with President Idriss Deby on two conditions: 1) The negotiations must include all of the three movements in the AN--the UFDD, the FSR, and the UFDD/Fondamentale--as well as the unarmed political opposition and 2) International observers, beyond the AU mediation team of Libya and Congo, must attend the negotiations. ¶3. (C) According to Nouri the UFDD does not object to Libya as a venue for the negotiations, provided the two conditions for dialogue are met. He asserted, however, that Libya had not invited the AN to the ongoing discussions between Chadian Government representatives and Timan Erdimi's Rally of Forces for Change (RFC). Nouri characterized these discussions as a "family affair" within Deby and Erdimi's Zaghawa tribe. He was enthusiastic on continued contact with the USG and offered to send a "senior-level" delegation to Khartoum or to El Geneina, West Darfur, to meet with U.S. officials. -------------- FSR: Doubts on Libya, Deby's Sincerity -------------- ¶4. (C) By contrast, FSR commander Oumar Ali told Poloff from El Geneina on April 13 that his movement opposes any negotiations involving the Libyan Government. Libya provides military and financial support to Deby, making it a biased actor, and the FSR is opposed to Muammar Qadhafi's "terrorist" ideology, said Ali. He cast doubt on the viability of negotiations with the Chadian Government, which he called "an organized mafia." "They would be negotiations toward what?" questioned Ali. "Idriss has broken every commitment he's made. Just look at (former Defense Minister) Mahamet Nour. We want a dialogue with someone who respects their commitments." He also cited the murder and detention of opposition political figures after the coup attempt in February 2008 as an indication of Deby's lack of sincerity to engage in substantive discussions leading to democracy in Chad. ¶5. (C) The FSR does not reject negotiations outright, however, and Ali inferred that the his movement would consider participation in a peace process if Deby made a concession that built confidence between the parties. One of the FSR's primary grievances is the changes made to the 1996 Constitution, and Ali suggested a recision of some of the provisions might lay a foundation for negotiations. He begged the U.S. to "help an African country." "You are against dictators, against terrorists, and Idriss' regime is both," said Ali. "It is a matter of utmost urgency." ¶6. (C) Ali claimed that the people of N'djamena had "acclaimed" the rebels arrival in February because of the depravity of Deby's regime and reported that the populations of Ade and Dar Sila have grown restive and are calling for a new rebel offensive. He blamed Deby for inciting inter-communal tensions in Am Timam and Dar Sila in recent weeks that have resulted in violence and for orchestrating the murder of Chadian civilians who have taken refuge in the Central African Republic. AN representatives are scheduled to meet "in the field" on April 14 to discuss their "final plans" before the onset of the rainy season, reported Ali. -------------- Action Request -------------- ¶7. (C) Fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the KHARTOUM 00000576 002.2 OF 002 conversation with Ali, he again called Poloff to report that he had briefed FSR President Ahmed Soubiane. According to Ali, Soubiane said that he had been "ecstatic" to have spoken to a representative from the Department several weeks ago--"the first American official to hear our side"--and had offered to send a delegation to meet with U.S. officials "anywhere, anytime" to outline the FSR's platform. He reiterated his continued willingness to do so but lamented that he had not received a response to his offer. Ali will call Poloff again on April 14. Post requests Department guidance on a response to Soubiane's offer. ¶8. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. FERNANDEZ