VZCZCXRO7971
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHNJ #0070 0330807
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 020807Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6046
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0990
RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO PRIORITY 0896
RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI PRIORITY 1472
RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY PRIORITY 3040
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 0160
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 1650
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUSNNOT/SOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000070
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OPS, AF/C, DS, CA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR CASC MOPS SU PINS ASEC CD
SUBJECT: SITREP 5: FIGHTING ONGOING IN NDJAMENA
REF: NDJAMENA 69 AND PREVIOUS
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GENERAL SITUATION
-----------------
1. (SBU) Sounds of artillery fire and automatic weapons have
been heard off-and-on beginning 0845 2 February in N'djemana.
Fighting between elements of the Chadian military forces
loyal to President Deby and rebel forces continue. The road
in front of the presidential palace is closed. There is
little/no traffic on the main roads.
2. (SBU) Conversely, the situation in the East is currently
calm, though some areas are reporting an increase in
banditry/lawlessness. In abeche, schools and banks stayed
closed. In Guereda, 24 humanitarians were evacuated by road.
Bihai is currently calm. In the past week, Koukou has seen an
estimated 2,000 new arrivals from Sudan. French have
confirmed to officials in Abeche that they will host the
humanitarian community on the French base if there is an
evacuation. There were no UNHAS flights from N'djamena to
Abeche on 1 February.
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OTHER MISSION DRAWDOWNS: NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL DEPARTS
--------------------------------------------- -----------
3. (SBU) At 0130 local on 2 February, French Ambassador told
Ambassador that French are asking citizens to consolidate at
the N'djamena French base. French said they stand ready to
assist with evacuating Amcits on French military aircraft.
4 (SBU) At 0330 local core EAC determined that tripwires have
been crossed and EAC recommended that all non-essential
personnel evacuate. A warden message was distributed
alerting AmCits to change in American security posture. At
07:50 local, the Department endorsed authorized departure for
19 non-emergency personnel. The American community here has
remained calm; CONS has not received a single call from
worried AmCits. At 0818 airplane departed N'djemana for
Cameroon with ETA of 1118. AmEmbassy Yaounde waiting to
assist.
5. (SBU) The Chinese Ambassador told Ambassador yesterday
that many Chinese commercial workers (i.e. workers at CNPC -
China National Petroleum Company) were being evacuated to
Cameroon. Yet, several other missions, including the Chinese,
are standing fast.
---------------
MISSION POSTURE
---------------
6. (SBU) All other Embassy personnel remain in Embassy
compound. EAC will reconvene at 1000 local time, 2 February.
NIGRO