TIP: CHAD'S POSITIVE EFFORTS ON IMPLEMENTING USG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000348

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR AF/C, S/USSES
NSC FOR GAVIN
LONDON FOR POL - LORD
PARIS FOR POL - KANEDA
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF KTIP PHUM CD
SUBJECT: TIP: CHAD'S POSITIVE EFFORTS ON IMPLEMENTING USG
ACTION PLAN

REF: A. NDJAMENA 342

B. NDJAMENA 290

C. NDJAMENA 224

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (SBU) The Secretary General of the Ministry of Human
Rights reported August 17 on the GOC's progress against the
USG's TIP action plan for Chad. The SG highlighted the
inter-ministerial team that visited southern towns to
investigate suspected cases of child herders, providing
recommendations to the Human Rights ministry. He also
emphasized a GOC-drafted plan to educate parents on the
dangers of selling their children that was awaiting final
Prime Minister approval and funding. A separate conversation
with the Director of the Office of Children in the Ministry
of Social Affairs confirmed that a government team, with
international partners, had visited a military camp in July
and removed some of the child soldiers found there. The 60
days of effort have kicked off momentum within the government
and should be factored into USG decision-making. Post is
determined to continue the close work with the GOC for
further positive results. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Djime Arabi, Secretary General of the Ministry of
Human Rights, reviewed August 17 for poloff the efforts that
the GOC had made against the USG Action Plan concerning
trafficking in persons issues in Chad. These efforts add to
the GOC's recent actions, including as the ratification of UN
conventions (Ref B) and the release to UNICEF of child
soldiers returned from rebel groups (Ref C)

--------------
INVESTIGATIONS AND FINDINGS ON CHILD LABOR
--------------


3. (SBU) Arabi said that an inter-ministerial team had
visited southwestern border towns, Pala and Lere, to
investigate allegations of child herders and kidnapping
cases. He added that mission team had provided its findings
and recommendations to the ministry. Arabi did not have the
details of the report but promised to provide a copy to the
Embassy. When asked if the same team would undertake the
additional missions, Arabi said it was difficult to guess the
decisions other ministries would take, noting that
coordination issues continued to plague the Human Rights
ministry's efforts. According to Arabi, the ministry also
developed an awareness-raising project, aimed at educating
parents against selling their children into cowherding
apprenticeships. Arabi added that the project was on the
Prime Minister's desk, awaiting final approval and funding.


4. (SBU) Arabi also outlined the action by Chadian
President Deby and Prime Minister Youssouf Saleh Abbas. He
said that Deby had held a meeting of staffers and line
ministries to address the issue of child protection and had
order the government agencies to increase its efforts. The
Prime Minister had also convoked government officials,
according to Arabi, ordering the Ministers of Social Affairs,
Justice, Human Rights, Defense, and Foreign Affairs to
establish an inter-ministerial committee to address
trafficking issues.

--------------
CHILD SOLDIERS IN THE CHADIAN MILITARY
--------------


5. (SBU) Arabi told poloff that the Ministry of Social
Affairs, accompanied by UNICEF, has visited two or three
military camps to inspect for child soldiers. (NOTE: This
seemed contrary to REF A reported information from UNICEF.
END NOTE.) Ngaradoumadji Nukingar, the Deputy Director of
Office of Children in the Ministry of Social Affairs,
provided separately more accurate information, stating that
there was one inter-ministerial mission -- ministries of
Social Affairs, Defense, and Foreign Affairs -- July 22-25 to
the military camp in Moussoro, which included UNICEF and CARE
International officials for part of the time. Nukingar said
that of 88 presumed minors, the team identified only 51

NDJAMENA 00000348 002 OF 002


under-aged soldiers and succeeded in removing to UNICEF's
care 16 of the 51 children. The remainder refused to leave,
stating that they were waiting for a check from the
government. Nukingar stated that a return mission the
following week found only 6 of the remaining 35 children, as
the rest had "disappeared" after the 800 USD (400,000 CFA)
payment from the GOC.


6. (SBU) Arabi said he believed that the ministries of
Social Affairs and Defense would be keeping files on
rehabilitated child soldiers and other child victims of
trafficking. Poloff has yet to receive confirmation of such
record-keeping from Social Affairs or Defense.

--------------
RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS
--------------


7. (SBU) The SG noted that funding and resources continued
to plague any inter-ministerial effort on TIP issues. He
stated that the GOC had to rent vehicles for its mission to
the South. Arabi also revealed that the ministry wanted to
visit the Koro Toro military camp in northern Chad but needed
the PM's office to provide helicopter transport for the trip.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (SBU) There is clearly positive intent, including at the
highest levels, on the part of the GOC to seriously address
trafficking issues in Chad. It is, however, a government
that struggles to provide even basic services to its
citizens, a problem that is reflected in the GOC's efforts on
TIP. Inter-ministerial coordination is not the government's
normal way of doing business, so its willingness to undertake
two inter-ministerial efforts is remarkable and should be
factored into USG thinking on this. Post is determined to
continue this momentum with the GOC but our resources make
that difficult to do; one political/economic officer does not
afford us the ability to properly focus on this issue and to
make the significant outreach to diverse interlocutors that
is required. END COMMENT.


9. (U) Minimize considered.
NIGRO