CHAD: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000543 DEPT FOR S/CT: RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC CD SUBJECT: CHAD: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM ¶1. Based on the narratives of other African countries in the 2007 reports (there was no Chad narrative),post has complied the following report for Chad for 2008. ¶2. During 2008 Chad experienced several incursions by anti-regime rebel forces aimed at taking power. These military confrontations and the resulting intense internal political unrest drew the government's attention away from the threat of global terrorism. Yet, Chadian authorities are acutely aware of the menace that international terrorism poses in the Sahelian and Saharan zones of Africa, of which it is a part. Nonetheless, due to the nature of society and the limited ability of government institutions to detect or monitor possible operatives who might engage in acts of terrorism, the situation in Chad could become attractive to such groups. Chad is not, however, a safe haven for foreign terrorist groups and in 2008 no acts of international terrorism were perpetrated against Chad, the U.S., or the international community. ¶3. Chadians have readily participated in us sponsored anti-terrorism training aimed at police and military units. Chad has sent over 50 government officials to anti-terrorism assistance programs. Military officers attended the chiefs of defense and directors of military intelligence conference in Mali in may 2008. Some 24 police officers participated in an ata sponsored program in December 2008 and others are scheduled for training in early 2009. Chadian officials have worked closely with UN agencies in an effort to push ahead on the ratification of additional international anti-terrorism treaties and to improve mechanisms to detect and control illegal monetary transfers. ¶4. Post POC until December 10 is ADCM Robert Gribbin. GribbinR@state.gov. NIGRO