Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KHARTOUM640
2008-04-25 10:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
CHAD: UFDD, UFDD/F REITERATE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE
VZCZCXRO7929 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #0640 1161020 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251020Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0655 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0334 RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000640
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, AND AF/C
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
PARIS FOR KANEDA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: UFDD, UFDD/F REITERATE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE
PROCESS
REF: A. LIBREVILLE 176
B. KHARTOUM 637
Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (
d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000640
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, AND AF/C
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
PARIS FOR KANEDA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: UFDD, UFDD/F REITERATE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE
PROCESS
REF: A. LIBREVILLE 176
B. KHARTOUM 637
Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) In an April 24 conversation with Poloff,
representatives of Mahamet Nouri's Union des Forces du
Developpement et de la Democratie (UFDD) and Abdelwahid Aboud
Makaye's UFDD/Fondamentale welcomed the increased
international engagement on the Chadian conflict evident
during the April 10 Contact Group meeting in Libreville,
Gabon (Ref. A). Brahim Djidda, Nouri's envoy in Khartoum,
characterized the Gabon meeting "as a real process." He
suggested, however, that the Chad-Sudan dialogue should be
conducted in parallel to inter-Chadian negotiations.
2. (C) Djidda called on the U.S. to energize efforts to
construct a true political process among the Chadian
Government, the rebel movements, and the opposition political
parties. "We don't want to take power by force," said
Djidda. "We want negotiations. But there has been too much
manipulation from France, Libya, and others." He and UFDD/F
representative Mokhtar Yaya said that the rebels have delayed
a renewed offensive in the hope that the U.S. will sponsor
constructive negotiations.
3. (C) Though characterizing Deby's government as
"delinquent," Djidda said that Deby will not need to abrogate
all power. He suggested instead that a power-sharing deal is
possible based on an "amendment" to the 1996 constitution
that could be ratified by the National Assembly after a
six-month interim period to prepare for elections. Yaya
claimed that Deby could even remain president if he accepted
more limited--and clearly delineated--powers.
4. (C) Both Djidda and Yaya dismissed the recent appointment
of Prime Minister Youssouf Saleh Abbas, referring to a
statement by Nouri on the Internet that "it is a non-event."
They called Abbas "a tool of Deby" who lacks independence and
power and deemed his appointment a "partial solution." "We
need a global solution for all Chadians that involves the
political parties, the movements, and the international
community," said Djidda.
5. (C) They similarly dismissed rumors that the Chadian rebel
movements are "Al Qaeda, Islamists, or terrorists," calling
these allegations "French lies on behalf of Idriss." They
acknowledged that much of Chad shared cultural ties to
Sudan--including language and religion--but Djidda asserted
that the "Sudan program in Chad is totally different from our
program--we need political change in N'djamena to help our
people."
FERNANDEZ
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, AND AF/C
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
PARIS FOR KANEDA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: UFDD, UFDD/F REITERATE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE
PROCESS
REF: A. LIBREVILLE 176
B. KHARTOUM 637
Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) In an April 24 conversation with Poloff,
representatives of Mahamet Nouri's Union des Forces du
Developpement et de la Democratie (UFDD) and Abdelwahid Aboud
Makaye's UFDD/Fondamentale welcomed the increased
international engagement on the Chadian conflict evident
during the April 10 Contact Group meeting in Libreville,
Gabon (Ref. A). Brahim Djidda, Nouri's envoy in Khartoum,
characterized the Gabon meeting "as a real process." He
suggested, however, that the Chad-Sudan dialogue should be
conducted in parallel to inter-Chadian negotiations.
2. (C) Djidda called on the U.S. to energize efforts to
construct a true political process among the Chadian
Government, the rebel movements, and the opposition political
parties. "We don't want to take power by force," said
Djidda. "We want negotiations. But there has been too much
manipulation from France, Libya, and others." He and UFDD/F
representative Mokhtar Yaya said that the rebels have delayed
a renewed offensive in the hope that the U.S. will sponsor
constructive negotiations.
3. (C) Though characterizing Deby's government as
"delinquent," Djidda said that Deby will not need to abrogate
all power. He suggested instead that a power-sharing deal is
possible based on an "amendment" to the 1996 constitution
that could be ratified by the National Assembly after a
six-month interim period to prepare for elections. Yaya
claimed that Deby could even remain president if he accepted
more limited--and clearly delineated--powers.
4. (C) Both Djidda and Yaya dismissed the recent appointment
of Prime Minister Youssouf Saleh Abbas, referring to a
statement by Nouri on the Internet that "it is a non-event."
They called Abbas "a tool of Deby" who lacks independence and
power and deemed his appointment a "partial solution." "We
need a global solution for all Chadians that involves the
political parties, the movements, and the international
community," said Djidda.
5. (C) They similarly dismissed rumors that the Chadian rebel
movements are "Al Qaeda, Islamists, or terrorists," calling
these allegations "French lies on behalf of Idriss." They
acknowledged that much of Chad shared cultural ties to
Sudan--including language and religion--but Djidda asserted
that the "Sudan program in Chad is totally different from our
program--we need political change in N'djamena to help our
people."
FERNANDEZ