CANADIAN CONCERN OVER CHAD AND SUDAN

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000189 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF CH SU CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN CONCERN OVER CHAD AND SUDAN REF: STATE 10951 ¶1. (SBU) FM Bernier issued a statement February 4 in response to recent developments in Chad, which said: "Canada strongly condemns the attacks by rebel groups in Chad and, in particular, in N'Djamena. We join newly elected African Union President Jakaya Kikwete in expressing our deep concern with this attempt to overthrow the Chadian government by military means." He urged all parties to resolve their differences through negotiations and to ensure full access to conflict areas by civilians aid workers. ¶2. (SBU) According to the Sudan Desk Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT),DFAIT's Director General for Africa separately conveyed many of the points in our demarche (reftel) to the Sudanese government when he visited Khartoum recently. She said the Canada is also making clear to the Government of Sudan that it will not have improved relations with Canada absent fundamental changes in policy and better dealings with Canadian officials. She thanked us for sharing our points and promised that Canada would continue to convey a strong message to Sudan on the issue of its involvement in Chad. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada BREESE