NIGERIA: MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE VISITING

UNCLAS ABUJA 001680 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID AFR/SD USDA FOR OSEC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID OREP NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE VISITING WASHINGTON DC JULY 23 - AUGUST 1 REF: (A) ABUJA 1548 (B) ABUJA 1621 ¶1. This is an action message. Please see para 3. ¶2. Minister of Agriculture Adamu Bello plans to visit Washington DC from July 23 to August 1 as a follow-up to President Obasanjo's May visit and the Minister's discussions with Ambassador Jeter on June 26 (Ref A) and Congressmen Clyburn, Thompson, and Hilliard on July 4 (Ref B). From these discussions, Post recommends the following meetings for Minister Bello: -- Secretary of Agriculture Ann Venemann -- Congressmen James Clyburn (D, SC),Bennie Thompson (D, MS),and Earl Hilliard (D, AL). -- Land Grant Colleges. The Congressmen suggested the Minister visit Tuskegee University, Alcorn State University, South Carolina State, Morehouse College, and ABCUS. (Please coordinate with Congressman Clyburn.) -- Private sector agri-businesses specializing in post harvest management and processing, fertilizers and vaccines for livestock. Rep. Clyburn specifically had recommended the Minister visit a mango processing company located in his district. (Please coordinate with Congressman Clyburn.) -- USAID Administrator -- USAID/AFR/G for a technical discussion ¶3. Post requests that Department coordinate with USDA and USAID to assist in organizing the meetings outlined in Para ¶2. USAID AFR/SD has the lead for the Minister's visit; point of contact is Dennis Weller at 202-712-1406. Jeter