NIGERIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT OBASANJO TO PRESIDENT BUSH ON ABACHA FUNDS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002263 SIPDIS NSC FOR JFICKLIN, JFRAZER DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W LAGOS FOR MBONNER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2011 TAGS: PREL OPDC EFIN KCOR NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT OBASANJO TO PRESIDENT BUSH ON ABACHA FUNDS Classified by CDA Andrews; Reasons 1.5 (b). ¶1. (C) On 10 September, Embassy received the following letter from President Obasanjo to President Bush (dated 5 September). Included with the letter are 26 pages of attachments making up the forensic report referred to in the letter. Begin text: 5 September 2001 Dear President, Thank you for the letter in which you gave assurances to assist Nigeria in her Abacha loot recovery efforts. A copy of the Forensic Accountant's report from Geneva-based lawyer, Hauchman Monfrini & Bottge, on the bank documents sent by the US Government, following Nigeria's request for mutual assistance of 4 November 1999 is attached herewith as requested. From the content of the report, further investigation is required in the US, if proceeds of the Abacha loot stashed in US banks or moved through US banks to other destinations are to be traced and recovered. While I appreciate the US Government efforts at obtaining the bank documents under reference, I, in anticipation, also thank you for the expected detailed investigation that will subsequently follow with a view to tracing, freezing and recovering the loot. Your sincerely, /sgd/ Olusegun Obasanjo ¶2. (SBU) The original letter, along with attachments, is being sent to the NSC by registered pouch with number 2584626. Andrews