August 9, 1983
Libya's forces are centrally involved in the fighting in Chad. In fact, if it were not for Libya's
forces -- both through advisers and combat elements and air power -- there wouldn't be the kind
of fighting that we are seeing in Chad.
The precise numbers in a situation like this are hard to come by, but our estimate is that there are
1,500-2,000 Libyan troops in Chad and that this represents a significant increase over the number
present in the weeks before the rebel attack on Faya Largeau. There is no question that the Libyan
troops are there, including mechanized units; nor is there any question of repeated Libyan air
attacks against various northern centers, including Faya Largeau. We have reports that the Libyan
troops and Libyan-supported rebels besieging Faya Largeau have a substantial number of Libyan
armored vehicles and heavy artillery for bombardment and that their air attacks have included both
bombs and napalm.
We consider the situation at Faya Largeau serious and threatening. The Libyan Government
seems to be seeking to portray what's happening in Chad as a civil conflict and to portray the
Government of Chad as not having legitimacy. The fact of the matter is that the Organization of
African Unity has recognized the legitimacy of the Habre government. The most recent OAU
statement was one issued in mid-July by the OAU summit bureau calling for an end to foreign
interference and appealing for a cease-fire. There is no question in the eyes of the OAU and the
majority of African States that Habre's is the legitimate government. Libya would like to have it
otherwise. Libya would like to overturn that government and substitute its surrogate as the
government of Chad. Were this to happen -- if Qadhafi were able to set up an established
government simply by using its overwhelming military might to do so -- that this would have
consequences beyond the borders of Chad.
Our view is that we have provided limited materiel support for the Government of Chad. We have
done so in the context of other African support for that government and in a far larger French
effort. In all of our contacts, we have no information to suggest that in fact France has changed its
position on support of Chad. A French statement over the weekend was subsequently clarified in
Paris, and we understand the French position to be that they will make appropriate decisions in
light of the situation in Chad. We are operating in the context of African and French support for
the Government of Chad.