Word: libyans
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...northern Chadian oasis town of Faya-Largeau, which fell to Goukouni's Libyan-supported rebels two weeks ago after a ten-day bombardment by Libyan aircraft, Libya was resupplying its 3,000-man garrison. For their part, the French were busy flying troops, arms and ammunition to their outposts in Abéché, Biltine, Arada and Sallal. The four towns are positioned along the main routes that an invading force from the north would have to use to attack the capital. The advantage of this new "line in the sand" is that it is situated at the limit...
With its military deterrent in place, France embarked on the delicate task of seeking a diplomatic solution. In Brazzaville, French Minister of Cooperation and Development Christian Nucci spoke for an hour with the Libyan Ambassador to the United Nations, Abdessalam Ali Triki. Earlier, Mitterrand had sent his special adviser on African affairs, Guy Penne, to meet withHabré in N'Djamena. Although the Chadian President had previously branded Penne a "poor imbecile" who was the head of a "pro-Libyan lobby,"Habré said after the meeting that his relations with France were "clear and unambiguous."Habr...
Gaddafi, in turn, reportedly hinted to the French that he was willing to talk peace. But on what terms? Previously he has urged France to help overthrowHabré and pave the way for a new "government of national reconciliation," presumably meaning one that would be more mindful of Libyan wishes. One possible solution might be international recognition of Libyan control over the Aozou Strip, in return for Libya's withdrawal from the rest of Chad. Another would be the effective partition of Chad into a Libyan-dominated north and aHabré-controlled south. But neither of those formulas would...
Some U.S. diplomats are convinced that Mitterrand's strategy is to give himself some negotiating flexibility by decrying the American "pressure" even as he sends in troops to check the Libyan advance. It is altogether possible that the tactic is working. Gaddafi last week gave Mitterrand the benefit of the doubt, saying that France "was drawn into that conflict in spite of itself." This, as well as his repeated assertions that Libya is not directly involved in the conflict, may be Gaddafi's way of preserving a little room to maneuver in future negotiations...
...reinforce its garrison at Faya-Largeau. At the moment,Habré is powerless to conduct the war as he sees fit. As soon as he is able, however,Habré is determined to see to it that the northern oasis, near which he was born, does not remain in Libyan hands indefinitely. "They can take Faya-Largeau 20 times," he vowed last week, "and we will recapture it 20 times." These are the words of a man whose country has already endured 18 years of civil war, with no end in sight...