TFUS01: NIGERIA: WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT

S E C R E T ABUJA 002561

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2011
TAGS: PREL PTER PARM NI
SUBJECT: TFUS01: NIGERIA: WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT
TERRORISM

REF: A. STATE 170698

B. ABUJA 2560


(U) Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter; Reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).



1. (S) As agreed during the October 8 meeting between the
Ambassador and the National Security Advisor (Ref B),
PolMilOff met October 9 with LTC Mohammed Idris, the NSA's
Military Advisor and Mohammed K. Ibrahim, Assistant Director
for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, to present Ref A demarche. (Both Idris and Ibrahim
planned to brief their respective bosses shortly thereafter.)
Ibrahim remarked the evidence was strong though
circumstantial, but he agreed when Idris mentioned there was
surely sensitive and more compelling information that could
not be shared. Ibrahim stated Nigeria was pleased to be
among the countries to receive a call from the White House
before the strikes is Afghanistan began. PolMilOff replied
that the U.S. saw Nigeria as a partner and expected it to
take the lead against terrorism in Africa, particularly in
the sub-region.



2. (C) PolMilOff also passed Ibrahim and Idris a copy of a
matrix showing the ratification status for ECOWAS states of
multilateral counter-terrorism protocols, and emphasized that
ratification of pending protocols by West African states
would advance the international effort. Here again Nigeria
could take a leadership role. Looking at international
efforts, Ibrahim contended the U.S. should revisit its
opposition to restrictions on small arms sales to non-state
actors at the UN Small Arms Conference, implying that the
U.S. should reconsider its position. Small arms are often
used by terrorists and are a significant threat in Africa.



3. (C) Ibrahim noted that a similar Islamic school system
exists in Nigeria as the Madrasas in Pakistan, and emphasized
that poverty and education must be addressed as part of the
campaign. Idris agreed, fearing that the poor and ignorant
in Nigeria (and in other African countries) were susceptible
to the appeal of radical groups.



4. (S) COMMENT: Ibrahim and Idris both appeared convinced of
the justification for U.S. actions against Al-Qa'ida and the
Taliban, and hopefully will convey this sense to their bosses
and other Nigerian policy-makers. If so, the demarche would
have proven to be useful in consolidating our support here.
END COMMENT.
Jeter