NIGERIA'S OBASANJO SEEKING WARMER RELATIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001919

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2017
TAGS: PREL EAID EFIN PINR NI UK US
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S OBASANJO SEEKING WARMER RELATIONS WITH
U.S.


REF: ABUJA 1913


CLASSIFIED BY CDA ANDREWS. REASON: 1.5(B)



1. (C) Summary: President Obasanjo senses a loss of warmth
in Nigeria's relationship with the U.S. and feels the U.S.
and U.K. are frustrating his efforts by setting too tough
terms for support, according to his VP. Obasanjo reportedly
blames reports from Embassy Abuja and the British High
Commission. End Summary.



2. (C) Vice President Atiku Abubakar told CDA privately
evening of March 24 that, shortly before departing for the
U.S., President Obasanjo had expressed disappointment and
sadness at what he felt was waning warmth in the bilateral
relationship. Obasanjo had expected more support for his debt
relief entreaties - not just from the U.S., but also from the
U.K. Instead, Obasanjo found attitudes in Washington and
London hardening, and, Atiku added, Obasanjo attributed this
shift in attitude to reports being filed by Embassy Abuja and
the British High Commission here. Obasanjo felt he was going
in the right direction, and that greater flexibility from the
U.S. and U.K. would be in order.



3. (C) Atiku said that he had spoken only briefly with
Obasanjo since the latter's return from the U.S. and Libya
because he (Atiku) had taken a few days' break at Yankari
National Park (his first-ever trip there). However, the
President felt his visit was satisfactory, notwithstanding
President Bush's unavailability for a private one-on-one
conversation. Obasanjo appreciated the President's plans to
visit Africa next year and looked forward to the trip. The
meeting with Secretary Powell had gone well, and Obasanjo
attributed this at least in part to his decision to announce
that Nigeria would resume relations with the IMF.



4. (C) CDA commented that, in light of 9/11, Nigeria should
not expect the Bush Administration to give Nigeria the same
attention that its predecessor had been able to offer. The
world had changed on 9/11, especially for the U.S., and our
President had to focus intently on homeland security. This
new, overriding priority meant President Bush did not have as
much time for other issues as he would like to have, but that
fact should not be misunderstood as lack of warmth or
concern. On the contrary, the U.S. remained strongly engaged
in Africa.



5. (C) Comment: We suspect that what irked President
Obasanjo skin may have been a May 24 meeting at which
Ambassador Isaac Aluko-Olukun of Nigeria's National Planning
Commission briefed G-7 Heads of Mission on NePAD (reftel).
Aluko-Olukun called for more G-7 carrots and fewer sticks; he
particularly wanted support for building infrastructure.
British Acting High Commissioner Bird raised serious problems
of corruption and lack of transparency. CDA followed up by
asking Aluko-Olukun to describe what practical, effective
steps were being taken to address these problems. Obasanjo
may have been annoyed, but he seems to have recognized that
re-engagement with the IMF would be a useful step. Today's
$64,000 question asks whether this announcement is purely
symbolic, portending a renewed "dialogue", or presages GON
interest in genuine reform, the stresses of an election year
notwithstanding.
ANDREWS