DFM SALTANOV ON UNSC PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON CHAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000281 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV RS SUBJECT: DFM SALTANOV ON UNSC PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON CHAD Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) In a February 4 meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Saltanov (other issues covered septel),the Ambassador underscored the urgency of the situation in Chad and urged Russia to remove its objections to the draft UNSC Presidential Statement on Chad. The Ambassador reminded Saltanov that France was trying to find compromise language on the statement, but any further delay could prompt other UNSC members to raise Chapter VII issues and could encourage the Sudanese government to reach the wrong conclusions on the international community,s resolve to establish peace and stability in Chad. Saltanov noted that Russia raised Chapter VII concerns because the text under review was a presidential statement and not a resolution. However, he agreed that the situation on the ground warranted immediate UN action and thought the Russian UN mission would agree to the compromise text by the end of the day on February 4, although Saltanov was hazy on the details. ¶2. (C) Saltanov expressed appreciation for France's assistance in relocating five Russian citizens from Chad to Gabon and protecting the Russian official personnel still in N'djamena. Saltanov noted that if the security situation continued to deteriorate, Russia would be forced to close down its mission in Chad. BURNS