DISCUSSING CHAD AT THE CAMEROON FOREIGN MINISTRY

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000154 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CM PREL TBIO SUBJECT: DISCUSSING CHAD AT THE CAMEROON FOREIGN MINISTRY REF: STATE 13629 ¶1. (SBU) In a February 15 meeting with Pol/Econ Chief, Secretary General of the Ministry of External Affairs SIPDIS Sebastien Foumane said that Cameroon had supported President Deby "very firmly" and noted that the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) had issued a joint press release condemning the recent rebel attack and supporting the Deby government. Pol/Econ Chief noted the strong U.S. and AU positions, per reftel. ¶2. (SBU) Cameroon views Chad as a "neighbor and brother", he added, noting that the GRC had been very welcoming and supportive of refugees from the recent violence. Managing this flood of refugees was very difficult in the beginning, he said, but the GRC had gotten through it with the support of many countries (including the U.S.) and humanitarian organizations. The government sent some of its own supplies to Kousseri to help refugees and he believed the situation both in Kousseri and Chad were calmer now. GARVEY