MIDDLE EAST AFRICA SOUTH ASIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00865A002200040002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 18, 1975
• Content Type: NOTES

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ecret
2 0
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Middle East
Africa
South Asia
Secret
SC No. 08372/75
November 18, 1975
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NOFORN/NOCONTRACT
Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
DISSEMINATION CONTROL ABBREVIATIONS
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
NOCONTRACT- Not Releasable to Contractors or
Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
USIBONLY- USIB Departments Only
ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL... - This Information has been Authorized for
Release to ...
Classified by 010725
Exempt from general declassification schedule
of E.O. 11852, exemption category:
058(1), (2), and (3)
Automatically declassified on:
Date Impossible to Determine
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MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA - SOUTH ASIA
This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington com-
munity by the Middle East - Africa Division, Office of Current Intelligence,
with occasional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of
Intelligence. Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to
the authors of the individual articles.
Chad: Military Government's Problems
Intensify . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 3
Gabon: Step-Up in Oil Exploration Activity . . . 5
Nov 18, 1975
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Military Government's Problems Intensify
The continuing strain in Franco-Chadian rela-
tions that resulted in the expulsion of some 2,000
French troops from Chad last month reportedly has
had; an unsettling effect on the domestic scene.
Presi-
den a oum s support within the ruling Supreme
Military Council is eroding and council, members are
divided over what policy Chad should now follow
is-a-vis France. Young nationalistic officers on
the council headed by Foreign Minister Kamougue and
Minister of Territorial Development Roasngar are
said to favor a tough anti-French posture. They
reportedly are opposed by older, conservative officers
led by Minister of Interior Djime and Minister of
Finance Djogo, who recognize the economic necessity
of continuing close ties with Paris. Although the
young officers were somewhat placated by Malloum's
decision to expel the French troops, they reportedly
continue to complain about their general lack of
influence on policy matters and remain concerned
about the government's inability to come to grips
with Chad's many problems.
The French departure may also give a psychologi-
cal boost to the restive Muslim tribesmen in northern
and central Chad who have been waging a low-level
insurgency for many years. Although 300 French
technical advisers remain to assist the Chadian army,
the army will be hard pressed to operate against the
rebels. The army's ineffectiveness was highlighted
last month when an operation against the rebel tribes-
men reportedly resulted in the deaths of 19 Chadian
troops while rebel losses were minimal. Although
the rebels do not pose an immediate threat to the
regime, their victory has reportedly heightened fears
in Ndjamena that they may be emboldened by the French
departure to try and step up their attacks in the
future.
(Continued)
Nov 18, 1975 3
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The regime has been actively seeking alternate
sources of military assistance over the past months
in an effort to reduce dependence on its traditional
supplier, France. Chad's minister of finance has
visited Moscow and several East European countries
to request military aid. The Soviet Union reportedly
responded by allowing a quantity of Soviet arms and
ammunition in Congo to be sent to Chad last month.
The departure of French troops and their depend-
ents has also been clostly to Chad in other ways.
It has resulted in a reduction in local commerical
activity, increased unemployment, and a loss of
essential medical expertise provided by the French
military hospital, which is now closed. These prob-
lems are certain to worsen the already serious
eocnomic situation in Chad and will also further
antagonze many Chadians, especially Muslims and
Southern Sara tribesmen who reportedly already are
concerned about their loss of influence under the
present regime. The Saras--Chad's largest ethnic
group--were strongly represented in the government
of former president Tombalbaye, who was overthrown
and killed last April. (SECRET NOFORN/NOCONTRACT)
Nov 1.8, 1975 4
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Gabon
Step-Up in Oil Exploration Activity
Gulf Oil Corporation is accelerating its ex-
ploration activities in Gabon. The company plans
to drill 9 to 13 wells in the next year or so,
compared with only one well per year during the
last several years. At present, Gulf produces a
(very small amount of oil in Gabon.
ELF, a French group, is the largest operator in
the country, accounting for about 75 percent of the
estimated 200,000 barrels a day currently being
produced. ELF and several other companies including
Shell and Texaco/Chevron are also pushing exploration
programs.
Gulf's expansion of its activity in Gabon is
motivated by several considerations:
--prospects of finding commercial deposits
are extremely good;
--the company is searching for new sources of
of supply to replace the possible loss of the
crude it obtains from Venezuela and Kuwait,
where its holdings have been nationalized;
--the Gabonese government has been willing to
deal with the companies in a pragmatic manner,
allowing them sufficient profits to encourage
company reinvestment;
--certain Gulf concessions in Gabon expire in
1977 and must be relinquished if reserves are
not found.
Gabon, the newest member of OPEC, is counting on
additional oil finds to pay the costs of its ambitious
development plan. Productive capacity from currently
proved reserves is expected to peak at about 300,000
(Continued)
Nov 18, 1975 5
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barrels a day in the next several years. New
reserves will be needed to maintain this rate
f production. (CONFIDENTIAL)
Nov 18, 1975
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Secret
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