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:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
CIA-RDP88-01070R000200840003-3.pdf | 69.99 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