NSDD 322 United States Interests and Policy in Chad

SECRET SYSTEM II 90830 ASHINGTO 88 em r 14, 1988 NATIONAL SECURITY DECISI N DIRECTIVE NUMBER 322 U.S. INTER LICY IN CHAD (S) Principal U.S. long term goals in central Africa are regional stability, promotion of governments and institutions favorable to U.S. and Western interests, and containment/reversal of Libyan and Soviet influence. Achievement of these goals requires continuation of traditional economic and political development policies, assistance to fre dly states to defend themselves from regional o, extra-re onal aggression, and encouragement of peaceful esa If disputes. At present, the principal challenges td Itesegoas are Libyan territorial expansionism and subversio as 5 the opportunities Libyan success would create for the growth o Soviet presence and activity in the region. e and be prepared to address, the internali bro (ems at jave historically plagued Chad -- North-South pola iza ion, € long ic disparity and ribal/religious faction list and ther real threat to Chad's integrity. (S) Despite a resumption of dipl elations between Tripoli and Ndjamena and Qadhafi's promise to terminate his support to Chadian dissidents, it is unlikely that the status quo will undergo any significant modification in the near term. Although Libya has declared its readiness for reconciliation with Chad, Libya continues to claim the Aozou strip and to occupy parts of it. Efforts to resolve the fundamental issues between the two countries have every chance of foundering on Libyan intransigence. In the meant: bya's S significant military resources -- including de ent a chemical warfare capability -- and its past econt inprovoked aggression against Chad constitute a tar in th eat to Chad and its neighbors. More broadly, est te Lib la's diplomatic "charm offensive" in Africa and e jewhore, bya continues to support terrorism to further its breign-polf objectives, although it may be relying more heav/ y su ogal S. We seek to counter the Libyan threat by add ng ur sec trit assistance efforts to those made by France, wh ch B con der Ing reducing its troop presence in Chad. Addit na fad' ability to mount credible operations against Libyan forces or t conduct offensive SECRET UNCLASSMEB On: OADR Declassifi on 4/24/96 under provisions of E.O. 12958 by J. Saunders, National Security Council