Chad rejects O.A.U. threat

Press, 13 February 1982, Page 8

Chad rejects O.A.U. threat

NZPA-Reuter Nairobi A 12-nation African committee on Chad has told the Government of the West African nation that a panAfrican peace force might be withdrawn from the country unless it agrees to negotiate a cease-fire with rebel forces and hold general elections.

A Chadian Government spokesman rejected the plan odtright, saying the N’djamena authorities did not recognise the committee and were not bound by its decisions. - ■ The committee of the Organisation of African Unity decided in Nairobi this week to seek a political solution in Chad.

A resolution adopted by the committee said it would withdraw its 3000-strong

peace force from Chad unless . President Goukouni Oueddei accepted its conditions, including a cease-fire by the end of this month. A spokesman for the Chadian rebel Armed Forces of the North said the decision was a victory for the people of Chad and would give Chad the institutions, and the men to run them. Under the O.A.U. committee proposals, the Government of Chad would hold reconciliation talks with its foes by March 15, draw up a provisional constitution between April 1 and June 30, and organise elections between May 1 and June 30.

The resolution said the mandate of the O.A.U. force, called in by Mr Goukouni last year to replace Libyan units w,hich fought on his behalf in a civil war against rebels led by the former Defence Minister. Hissene Habre, would expire on June 30.

Delegates said Mr Goukouni left the conference saying, “I am betrayed,” when the issues of national reconciliation and elections were raised. The conference was nominally called to discuss the financial and technical problems which the O.A.U. peace force has encountered.