DEBY RETURNS TRIUMPHANTLY FROM TRIP TO SUDAN

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000086 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/C AND S/USSES LONDON FOR POL - LORD PARIS FOR POL - KANEDA ADDIS ABABA FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM SU CD SUBJECT: DEBY RETURNS TRIUMPHANTLY FROM TRIP TO SUDAN REFTEL: NDJAMENA 49 -------------- DEBY RETURNS LIKE A VICTOR -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Chadian elite turned out en masse the afternoon of February 9 to welcome home President Deby from his historic visit to Sudan and meeting with Sudanese President Bashir. The diplomatic corps was convoked to stand shoulder to shoulder with GOC official and Deby's MPS party members. Rumors that Sudanese President Bashir would also be on the plane proved unfounded but a Sudanesetechnical delegation is in country metings with Chadian homologues to resolve joint border monitoring details such as check-point locations and composition of teams. ¶2. (SBU) Deby did not make any public remarks at the airport and disappointed expectations that he would give a speech in Independence Square. Although most fanfare was concentrated at the airport, the President did emerge briefly from his car to greet some of those gathered at the square before turning into the presidential palace compound. ¶3. (SBU) In conversations with CDA at the airport, senior GOC officials expressed interested in SE Gration's visit but admitted being unable to discuss specifics before speaking with the President and FM Faki, who had also traveled to Khartoum. Each interlocutor promised to pursue our visit requests tomorrow. ¶4. (U) Minimize considered. BREMNER