CHAD'S DC AMBASSADOR CLAIMS USG NOW HAS "MORE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000208 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/C, S/USSES - SE GRATION NSC FOR GAVIN LONDON FOR POL - LORD PARIS FOR POL - D'ELIA AND KANEDA ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF MOPS SU LY CD SUBJECT: CHAD'S DC AMBASSADOR CLAIMS USG NOW HAS "MORE LEVERAGE" WITH GOC, SEEKS MTG WITH SECSTATE FOR FORMIN REF: NDJAMENA 195 Classified By: Ambassador Louis J. Nigro for reasons 1.4(b) and 1.4(d). ¶1. (U) This is an Action Message -- please see para 8. -------------- KEY POINTS -------------- ¶2. (C) Key Points are: -- Chad AMB to the US Bechir claims USG support of Chad vs. Sudan following recent rebel attack gave USG "unprecedented leverage" with President Deby; -- Bechir said this was reflected in GOC heeding USG recommendations, following recent rebel incursion, on Chad-Sudan relations and mediation efforts, Chad rebels, and child soldiers; and -- Bechir requested that FORMIN Faki be given an appointment with the Secretary on his upcoming visit to Washington, which we would support for the strengthening of US-Chad relations. ¶3. (C) Chadian Ambassador to the U.S. Mahmoud Adam Bechir called on Ambassador Nigro June 2 to share the GOC's current thinking regarding Chad-Sudan relations, the Chadian rebels, and Foreign Minister Mahamat Faki Moussa's request to see the Secretary in Washington. Bechir also said he had taken charge of the GOC's role in the repatriation of Guantanamo detainee Yousef Abkir Salih al-Qarani. -------------- USG LEVERAGE OVER GOC -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Bechir underscored the appreciation and credibility the USG had earned by its public support of the GOC following the May 4-7 rebel incursion. He claimed that this had given the USG "unprecedented leverage" over the GOC. He noted specifically the comments by SE Gration calling for restraint and understanding by all parties and the USG's communique backing Chad's right to defend itself from rebel attacks emanating from Sudan and to secure its own peace and stability. Bechir said that Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno had been encouraged by USG support and had heeded USG advice. Bechir stated that the GOC had followed USG suggestions, by: Refraining from widening the conflict; Remaining committed to negotiations sponsored by the UN, AU, Libya and Qatar; Refraining from breaking diplomatic ties with Sudan; and in the matter of child-soldiers. Bechir asserted that the GOC was committed to handing to UNICEF the under-age rebels involved in the recent fighting conflict. Bechir also said that the GOC was mulling over USG advice to "reach out" to Chad rebel leaders who might be amenable to peaceful return to Chad, including "updating " its approach to the Sirte Accord process by reaffirming publicly its commitment to that process, by naming a "Special Negotiator-type figure" as the GOC's POC for rebels and publishing widely ways to contact the "Special Negotiator." ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Bechir said that FORMIN Faki wanted to further strengthen GOC-USG ties with a visit to Washington. He added that the Chadian Embassy in Washington was awaiting a reply to the Note Verbale it had sent to the Department asking for the Secretary's availability to meet the FORMIN. -------------- RETURN OF DETAINEE -------------- ¶6. (C) Bechir detailed his involvement in repatriation of Chadian Guantanamo detainee Yousef Abkir Salih al-Qarani. He said that he would be the GOC's point of contact and was delaying his return to DC so he could personally facilitate al-Qarani's return. Bechir said that he would meet al-Qarani at the plane and bring him immediately to see President Deby, who would hand al-Qarani over to his parents. Bechir underscored the GOC's intent for "high-level compliance" with USG requirements governing the transfer and stressed his NDJAMENA 00000208 002 OF 002 government's commitment to "fully re-integrating" al-Qarani to his family, to his community's life and to Chadian society. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) We were not the only ones urging restraint on the GOC following its victory over rebels last month -- the French, Libyans, Germans and others did likewise -- but we are happy that the GOC generally took the took the high road on relations with Sudan, Chad rebels, international mediation efforts, and child soldiers. We support a meeting with the Secretary for FORMIN Faki and urge the Department to respond positively to the Chadian request for dates as soon as possible. We think Bechir's involvement in the return of Al Gharani will be helpful and reflects what we believe to be his position as Deby's top advisor on had-US relations and issues. END COMMENT. -------------- ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶8. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: That the Department respond to the Chadian request as soon as possible meeting with the Secretary for FORMIN Faki. END ACTION REQUEST. ¶9. (U) Minimize considered. NIGRO