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Sarkozy to press Chad on missing Sarkozy to press Chad on missing
(10 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to press for an investigation into the disappearance of two opposition figures when he visits Chad.French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to press for an investigation into the disappearance of two opposition figures when he visits Chad.
The two were seized by armed men on 3 February, amid a failing attempt by rebels to seize the capital, N'Djamena.The two were seized by armed men on 3 February, amid a failing attempt by rebels to seize the capital, N'Djamena.
Rights groups accuse the government of using the coup as a pretext to arrest the men, and have urged Paris to demand evidence that the men are alive.Rights groups accuse the government of using the coup as a pretext to arrest the men, and have urged Paris to demand evidence that the men are alive.
Chadian authorities have admitted holding a third opposition figure.Chadian authorities have admitted holding a third opposition figure.
Lol Mahamat Choua, who also went missing on 3 February, has been released from a military prison but is under house arrest, the government said on Tuesday.Lol Mahamat Choua, who also went missing on 3 February, has been released from a military prison but is under house arrest, the government said on Tuesday.
The government accuses him of conspiring with the rebels who attempted the coup.The government accuses him of conspiring with the rebels who attempted the coup.
But it denies knowledge of the whereabouts of the two others, Ngarlejy Yorongar and Ibni Oumar Mahamat Saleh.But it denies knowledge of the whereabouts of the two others, Ngarlejy Yorongar and Ibni Oumar Mahamat Saleh.
'Credible' inquiry'Credible' inquiry
Mr Sarkozy is stopping briefly in Chad on Wednesday as he travels to South Africa for an official visit.Mr Sarkozy is stopping briefly in Chad on Wednesday as he travels to South Africa for an official visit.
Given there is little doubt [the two missing] were taken by the authorities, the authorities should produce them Reed BrodyHuman Rights WatchGiven there is little doubt [the two missing] were taken by the authorities, the authorities should produce them Reed BrodyHuman Rights Watch
He will urge Chad President Idriss Deby to allow a "credible" international investigation to look into the disappearances, his spokesman said.He will urge Chad President Idriss Deby to allow a "credible" international investigation to look into the disappearances, his spokesman said.
That would require "a credible investigative commission", David Martinon told reporters on Tuesday.That would require "a credible investigative commission", David Martinon told reporters on Tuesday.
"The friendship between our two countries can grow only under the condition that the democratic process restarts and accelerates," he said."The friendship between our two countries can grow only under the condition that the democratic process restarts and accelerates," he said.
On Tuesday, Chad's Foreign Minister Ahmat Allam-Mi was in New York, meeting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss issues including restarting a process of political dialogue with rebels not involved in the coup attempt, and the disappearance of the opposition figures.On Tuesday, Chad's Foreign Minister Ahmat Allam-Mi was in New York, meeting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss issues including restarting a process of political dialogue with rebels not involved in the coup attempt, and the disappearance of the opposition figures.
He said he had received information from Mr Yorongar's sister and chauffeur that he had gone into hiding of his own accord.He said he had received information from Mr Yorongar's sister and chauffeur that he had gone into hiding of his own accord.
But AFP news agency quoted the chauffeur, Saleh Dkekotar, as saying: "We've had no news, he's not hiding. If he were alive he would come directly to the house."But AFP news agency quoted the chauffeur, Saleh Dkekotar, as saying: "We've had no news, he's not hiding. If he were alive he would come directly to the house."
DemandDemand
In a detailed report, Human Rights Watch quotes witnesses as saying Mr Yorongar and Mr Saleh were taken by government soldiers on 3 February.In a detailed report, Human Rights Watch quotes witnesses as saying Mr Yorongar and Mr Saleh were taken by government soldiers on 3 February.
A spokesman for the campaign group, Reed Brody, told news agency Reuters that Mr Sarkozy should not visit Chad without first receiving proofs that the two men were alive.A spokesman for the campaign group, Reed Brody, told news agency Reuters that Mr Sarkozy should not visit Chad without first receiving proofs that the two men were alive.
The coup attempt left hundreds deadThe coup attempt left hundreds dead
"Given there is little doubt they were taken by the authorities, the authorities should produce them," Mr Brody said."Given there is little doubt they were taken by the authorities, the authorities should produce them," Mr Brody said.
France - Chad's former colonial ruler - maintains a force of some 1,000 troops in the country. France - Chad's former colonial ruler - maintains a force of some 1,500 troops in the country.
It provided Chad's army with logistical support in fighting off the rebels during the two-day coup attempt, which left the Chadian capital severely damaged, with bodies littering the streets.It provided Chad's army with logistical support in fighting off the rebels during the two-day coup attempt, which left the Chadian capital severely damaged, with bodies littering the streets.
Amnesty International says Paris learned that the three opposition figures had been detained eight days after the coup attempt, but did not disclose the information.Amnesty International says Paris learned that the three opposition figures had been detained eight days after the coup attempt, but did not disclose the information.
The rights group has urged France to reveal all it knows, and not to "cover up the excesses of the Chadian government".The rights group has urged France to reveal all it knows, and not to "cover up the excesses of the Chadian government".