MITTERAND TO EXPLAIN FRENCH AIMS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP88-01070R000200840003-3
Release Decision: 
RIFPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
December 21, 2016
Document Release Date: 
June 27, 2008
Sequence Number: 
3
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 20, 1983
Content Type: 
OPEN SOURCE
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP88-01070R000200840003-3.pdf69.99 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-01070R000200840003-3 RADIO TV REPORTS, INC. PROGRAM CBS Saturday Evening News STATION WDVM TV CBS Network DATE August 20, 1983 6:30 PM CITY Washington, DC Mitterand to Explain French Aims JESSICA SAVITCH: French President Mitterand is going to explain his strategy in Chad to the French people next week. And it's expected that the explanation will widen his rift with the Reagan administration. Earlier this week, Mitterand accused the U.S. of pressuring France to increase its military aid to Chad, and he complained that he had no advance knowledge Washington was sending two AWACS planes to keep Chad under surveillance. Despite the rift between the Mitterand and the Reagan administrations, Albert Pierce reports the United States is providing the French with plenty of information on the situation in Chad. ALBERT PIERCE: As the French continue their military build-up in and near Chad, they are receiving detailed intel- ligence reports from the United States. NBC News has learned that the U.S. is giving the French up-to-date tactical intel- ligence information collected by reconnaissance satellites and U-2 spy planes which fly over Chad three times a day. One Pentagon source says the U.S. also has offered to fly the AWACS now in Sudan in training exercises with French Mirage fighters and Jaguar fighter bombers. The French have declined, but they would have little difficulty in operating the AWACS. French personnel have flown with AWACS before and know how to use them in tactical operations. French Mirages and Jaguars in six nearby countries could be used in Chad. Some may be moved to the capital this weekend. Material supplied by Radio N Reports, Inc. may be used for file and reference purposes only. It may not be reproduced, sold or publicly demonstrated or exhibited. Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-01070R000200840003-3 Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200840003-3 More than 1,000 French troops are clustered in key towns along an east-west line in the middle of the country. Some reports say the total could grow to two to three thousand by the end of the month. Along and below this line are 3,000 Chadian government troops, backed by about 2,500 Zairian paratroopers. Above the line, according to published reports, are up to 4,000 Libyans with tanks and tactical aircraft, along with 1,500 Chadian rebels. Pentagon officials give this assessment. Colonel Qaddafi is reluctant to challenge the French directly. His forces are a long, long way from their supply bases in Libya. The very size of the French commitment means that they would not withdraw under pressure or under fire. They have two choices, one Pentagon official said: either to bring about a de facto partition of Chad or to defeat the Libyans and the rebels soundly if they cross that line. Albert Pierce, NBC News, at the Pentagon. Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200840003-3