ANT SOURCES SAY PSI UNIT TO MOVE FROM DGSSIE CHAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 000248 STATE FOR AF/C, AF/RSA, AF/PD, DRL, DS/T/ATA AND DS/IP/AF OSD FOR HUDDLESTON AND PIKE NSC FOR GAVIN LONDON FOR POL -- LORD PARIS FOR POL -- KANEDA ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS PTER CD SUBJECT: ANT SOURCES SAY PSI UNIT TO MOVE FROM DGSSIE CHAIN OF COMMAND REF: A. NDJAMENA 128 ¶B. NDJAMENA 98 ¶C. STATE 52763 ¶D. IIR 6 910 0172 09 ¶E. IIR 6 910 0171 09 ¶F. IIR 6 910 0170 09 Classified By: Charge d'affaires Sue Bremner, for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) Following interventions by Ambassador Nigro and others on Embassy staff (Ref A),four contacts in the Armee Nationale Tchadienne (ANT),including the Chief of Staff to the MOD, have told Defense Attache that the ANT has developed detailed plans to move the Pan-Sahel Initiative (PSI) training unit, designed to receive TSCTP assistance from U.S. instructors, to a chain of command unconnected with the Directorate for Security of State Institutions (DGSSIE). That the DGSSIE has been associated with human rights abuses, and that the PSI originally reported to it, have prevented TSCTP mil-to-mil training from taking place in Chad over a protracted period (Ref B). ¶2. (C) In addition to the Chief of Staff to the MOD, the ANT's Deputy Chief of Intelligence, the PSI's battalion commander, and an operations officer in the PSI have all confirmed the planned change in chain of command for the unit. These officials have offered organi-grams laying out the new reporting chain. They have given the Defense Attache a tour of the PSI's new higher headquarters in the Direction de Renseignment Militaire. They have proposed giving DAO staff and/or members of the Embassy's country team tours of the PSI's operational headquarters, located 40 kilometers outside N'Djamena in Mandelia. The Chief of staff to the MOD has requested of the DATT that Embassy provide a written request for the shift in chain of command, which we are prepared to do along the lines sketched out in para 3 below. ¶3. (SBU) Begin text of letter of request: The Embassy of the United States in the Republic of Chad presents its compliments to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Chad, and has the honor to request reengagement and bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism programs and training. We respectfully request that the PSI unit be returned to a chain of commend reporting to the Etat-Major General des Armees (EMGA),as it was when the PSI was initially formed. This arrangement will allow a more effective partnership, as the structures and doctrines of both our militaries will be more in line, creating enhanced and realistic training and dialogue possibilities. The Embassy of the United States in Chad avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Chad the assurances of its highest consideration. ¶4. (C) Embassy believes that the new chain of command proposed for the PSI should resolve Leahy vetting concerns and allow mil-to-mil training under the TSCTP to recommence. Once we receive confirmation, in writing, in response to our letter, we will alert Washington agencies, with the expectation that training can begin again. Unless otherwise instructed, Post will deliver the letter above to the MOD at a convenient time in the near future. Our goal is to get mil-to-mil training back on a more regular footing, and consider AFRICOM-sponsored civil affairs initiatives under the TSCTP at a later stage. ¶5. (C) Embassy appreciates Ref C guidance on procedures for resurrecting police and law enforcement training under the State Department's Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program. Given staff transfers at Post, DS proposes starting a class in January 2010. We will submit names for Leahy vetting in a manner so as to make this possible. BREMNER