TFCD01: CHAD TASK FORCE SITUATION

UNCLAS STATE 010921 SIPDIS PASS TO NDJAMENA MANAGEMENT SENSITIVE SIPDIS THE FOLLOWING STATE 010921 DTG 031649Z FEB 08 SENT ACTION TO ALDAC TRIPOLI WHITE HOUSE NSC SECDEF JOINT STAFF COMFIFTHFLT COMSIXTHFLT NGA HQ BETHESDA COMSOCEUR JICPAC HQ USPACOM CDR USSOCOM CDR USCENTCOM CDR USJFCOM CDR USEUCOM HQ DA WASHDC CDR USSTRATCOM DIA WASHDC CDR USSOUTHCOM HQ USSOUTHCOM CIA WASHDC AND FBI IS BEING REPEATED FOR YOUR ACTION: QUOTE: UNCLAS STATE 010921 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT, CD SUBJECT: TFCD01: CHAD TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 5 FIGHTING RESUMES IN N'DJAMENA -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Embassy N'Djamena confirms fighting between rebel and Chadian forces resumed at 0015 EST. The French Embassy told Post they have suspended movements from N'Djamena assembly points to the airport. Post sustained indirect fire; staff at the Chancery moved to the safe haven. There are no reports of American casualties at this time. (Chad Task Force/Embassy N'Djamena telcon) EMBASSY PREPARES TO CLOSE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Embassy N'Djamena reports they have supplies for up to ten days under current conditions. Post is considering options to either remove all USG personnel from Chad or to maintain minimal staffing at the airport to support American citizen services. Forty-one USG staff remain on the ground. (Chad Task Force/Embassy N'Djamena telcon) TWENTY-TWO AMCITS DEPART -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Embassy Libreville confirmed 22 Amcits arrived in Gabon on French military flights and were met by consular officials. Embassy N'Djamena is seeking to confirm whether any Amcits hoping to depart Chad remain at the French evacuation points. Post reports at least 39 Amcits in N'Djamena have requested USG assistance. (Chad Task Force/Embassy Libreville telcon, Chad Task Force/Embassy N'Djamena telcon) LIBYA CLEARS OVERFLIGHTS; N'DJAMENA AIRPORT OPEN -------------- --- ¶4. (SBU) Embassy Tripoli reports two MC-130Ps departing from U.S. Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy, are approved to transit Libyan airspace at 1330 EST. EUCOM notes a third aircraft is in Niamey, and two STOL aircraft remain in Cameroon. (Chad Task Force/EUCOM telcon, Ops/Embassy Tripoli telcon) ¶5. (SBU) Embassy Libreville reports five flights from N'Djamena arrived in the past ten hours. (Chad Task Force/Embassy Libreville telcon) REBELS CLAIM NO INTENT TO ATTACK AMCITS -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Office of the Secretary of Defense reports the rebels claim to have seized control of the city, plan to attack the Presidential Palace, and have said they do not intend to attack Amcits. (Chad Task Force/DOD telcon) Tripoli minimize considered. RICE UNQUOTE RICE