CHAD UPDATE MAY 11: LIFE RETURNING TO NORMAL ONE

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000170 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SE GRATION, AF/C, AF/USSES, S/ES-O, DS/CC, DS/IP/AF, DS/OSAC, CA/OSC/ASC NSC FOR GAVIN AND HUDSON LONDON FOR POL -- LORD PARIS FOR POL -- D'ELIA AND KANEDA ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS ASEC PREL PREF SU UN AU LY FR CASC CD SUBJECT: CHAD UPDATE MAY 11: LIFE RETURNING TO NORMAL ONE WEEK LATER REF: A. NDJAMENA 166 ¶B. NDJAMENA 165 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) RETURN TO NORMAL: Life is returning to normal as the GOC and others continue to assess the impact of the May 4 rebel incursions and plan for the future. MINURCAT has resumed all operations in the east. ¶2. (SBU) DEBY VISITS TROOPS: President Deby, accompanied by acting Minister of Defense Adoum Younousmi, visited Goz Beida May 11 to show support for his troops and assess the situation. It was the President's first trip to the east since the incursion began, and his second this spring. Reports continue to circulate that the GOC is conducting "mopping up" operations in the east. ¶3. (SBU) MUSLIM LEADERS CONDEMN ATTACKS: Following Deby's May 9 statement criticizing Khartoum's alleged role in the attacks, the High Council of Islamic Affairs issued a similar May 11 release blaming Khartoum for the incursion and calling Sudan's actions "un-Islamic." The Council is openly pro-Deby and its statement came as no surprise. ¶4. (SBU) AFTERMATH: Sources expect damage figures -- including for rebels killed and captured -- to rise as information increases on the types and quantities of rebel equipment captured by the Chadian National Army (ANT). Reports are beginning to emerge that rebel child soldiers have been captured by the ANT. Post is following up as well as reaching out to human rights organizations regarding treatment of captured rebels. ¶5. (SBU) EMBASSY EAC: Post convened an EAC today (Ref A), deciding to lift the suspension on TDY visits. All Post operations are at normal levels. ¶6. (U) Minimize considered. NIGRO