NIGERIA -- RESPONSE TO OIC DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002405

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2006
TAGS: PREL PTER XF PROV OIC
SUBJECT: NIGERIA -- RESPONSE TO OIC DEMARCHE


REF: STATE 159557


Classified by CDA Andrews; Reasons 1.5(b) and (d).



1. (C) CDA 19 September delivered reftel demarche to MFA
Permanent Secretary Ambassador T.D. Hart. Hart said that
Nigeria was not a member of the OIC but attended meetings as
an observer with a ceremonial rather than substantive
delegation. The delegation head (usually a senior Islamic
figure, such as the Sultan of Sokoto) could be given an
instruction to make an appropriate statement, Hart offered.
(COMMENT: The Sultan has already spoken out against the
terrorist attacks at least twice. END COMMENT.)



2. (C) Before CDA even could raise the point, Hart noted
that intelligence-sharing would be critical to fighting
terrorism in the months and years ahead. Hart said he was
disturbed that one of the hijackers might have visited
Nigeria. (COMMENT: It is very well known in elite circles
here that the passport of one of the suspected hijackers
indicates he spent six weeks in Nigeria. Senior Nigerians
know that their country is an unusual destination for the
casual tourist and are concerned that, if the hijacker really
came here, it was on business. END COMMENT.)



3. (C) Hart noted that Nigerian participation in the OIC was
"controversial" because of the country's religious diversity.
He said that MFA staff were actively thinking about ways
Nigeria could help in the fight against terror and invited
the USG to provide input into that process.
Andrews