UPPER VOLTA/REBELLION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000200820006-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 27, 2008
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: August 5, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200820006-2
CBS EVX IIIfG XidS
5 August 1983
UPPER VOLTA; RATHER: There is further evidence tonight of what a U.~S.
REBELLION official called 'Libya's pattern of destabilization in Africa.'
An overnight coup in Upper Volta resulted in a new government,
one allied with Libya. = moderate president was ousted by a
former prime minister, who reportedly used Libyan-supplied arms.
It was Upper Volta's third coup in three years. Libya also is
actively backing an attempt to overthrow by force the government
of Chad. Officials in that country charged today that Libyan
bombers continue to pound three government-held positions. And
as David Martin reports, Libya appears set to deliver a coup
d'etat.
MARTIN: U.S. intelligence says a force of about 1,000 Libyan
soldiers backed by Soviet-built tanks is poised to attack the
government army of Chad's President Habre. One report says it
is unlikely Habre can hold out. If Habre is forced to retreat,
he will be exposed to attacks by Libyan warplanes in the open
desert. Libyan air strikes already have enabled rebel forces
attempting to overthrow Sabre to capture a key ;eastern garrison.
But an assault by Libyan ground troops on -Faya-Largeau,would be
Moamar Kdahfy's most direct involvement yet in Chad's civil war,
fact which Libyan officials continue to deny. ALI AR21:-D
HOUDERI (Libyan People's Bureau): We don't have any presence in
Chad.
MARTIN: U.S. sources also say Libya appears to be mobilizing
its forces for a wider conflict. The government has canceled
military leaves, ordered students and teachers to report to
military barracks and requisitioned four-wheel drive vehicles.
The mobilization is an apparent reaction to signs that the U.S.
and France are preparing to intervene. As one option, the U.S.
is considering flying^AWACS radar planes with F-16 jet fighters
along Libya's eastern border with Egypt. The maneuvers would be
of__icially described as part of the Bright Star exercises just
beginning in Egypt but would be intended to intimidate Khdafy.
To hear them talk, Libyan officials do not sound intimidated.
HOUDERI: We know we're not a match for the United States. But
when it comes to defending our right and our country, we will
fight anybody.
MARTIN: U.S. and French military aid had been intended to help
Habre beat the Libyan-backed rebel forces. Now that Libyan
ground troops seem about to intervene directly, the calculations
of how much is enough to save Habre will have to be re-done.
David Martin, CBS News, the Pentagon.
Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200820006-2