CHAD CHRONICLE: NOV 3-7

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000516 SIPDIS PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, STATE FOR AF, AF/C, AF/EPS, AND AF/RSA ADDIS ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF ECON PHUM UN LY CT CD SUBJECT: CHAD CHRONICLE: NOV 3-7 -------------- -------------- ¶1. US ELECTION 2008 -------------- -------------- --- "THE WHITE HOUSE PAINTED BLACK" SAID L'OBSERVATEUR NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA. SEVERAL ARTICLES FOCUSED ON HOW OBAMA WON THE ELECTION AND THE AMERICAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM. THE HEADLINE PIECE CONCLUDED "THE DREAM HAS BECOME A REALITY, BARACK OBAMA, OF MIXED-RACE HERITAGE WITH AN AFRICAN FATHER, BECAME ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE MOST POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD; AN EVENT CELEBRATED ON ALL THE CONTINENTS," THE PAPER ADDED, "WE ALL SUPPORT HIM WITH OUR WISHES AND PRAYERS". -------------- IN A MESSAGE PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 05, PRESIDENT BEBY OF CHAD EXPRESSED HIS BEST WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA FOR HIS "BRILLIANT ELECTION." PRESIDENT DEBY SAID THAT THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA REINFORCES THE ADMIRATION THAT HE AND THE CHADIAN PEOPLE HAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES. --- LE PROGRES OF NOVEMBER 06 PUBLISHED A FRONT PAGE PHOTO SHOWING PRESIDENT DEBY SHAKING HANDS WITH THEN SENATOR OBAMA ON HIS VISIT TO CHAD IN 2006. LE PROGRES OPINED THAT "OBAMA'S ELECTION WILL SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO THE OTHER NATIONS THAT BLOCK PROGRESS BY THEIR MINORITIES." --UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PLANNED A LARGE CELBRATORY MARCH TO THE EMBASSY ON NOVEMBER 5 TO PRESENT A CONGRATULATORY LETTER AND THE GIFT OF A GOAT, BUT WERE STYMIED BY THE GOVERNMENT'S REFUSAL TO ISSUE A MARCH PERMIT. BECAUSE THE EMBASSY POSED NO OBJECTIONS TO A PEACEFUL CELEBRATION, NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE STUDENTS AND THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR HAVE APPARENTLY RESULTED IN PERMISSION BEING GRANTED FOR A NOVEMBER 8 MARCH. NONTHELESS THE POLICE WILL KEEP A CAREFUL WATCH ON THE EVENT. -------------- ¶2. BUSINESS -------------- -------------- THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SOURAJ KOULLAMALLAH SAID THAT CHADIAN BUSINESSMEN ARE WELL EQUIPPED THESE DAYS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHINESE FINANCED REFINERY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT THAT WILL START IN THREE WEEKS. HE SAID HIS ASSOCIATES ARE ASSESSING OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE PROJECT, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FROM THE PORT OF DOUALA TO CHAD, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CAMPS, AND PROVIDING ANCILLARY SERVICES. -------------- ¶3. JUSTICE -------------- --- LE PROGRES OF NOVEMBER 05 REPORTED THAT VICTIMS OF HISSEIN HABRE'S REGIME EXPECT COMPENSATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CHAD. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WILL BE EXAMINING THE REQUEST ON NOV. 11. DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE VICTIMS OF HISSEIN HABRE REGIME, THE PRESIDENT OF THAT ASSOCIATION SAID VICTIMS ARE WAITING FOR JUSTICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALL THEY HAVE SUFFERED. NIGRO