NIGERIA: PRESIDENT OBASANJO SUMMARIZES HIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000320 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2007 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESIDENT OBASANJO SUMMARIZES HIS ZIMBABWE VISIT REF: HARARE 200 Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On January 25, during a brief pull aside prior to a larger meeting on a just established USAID program for agricultural assistance, President Obasanjo briefed me on his January 20-21 trip to Zimbabwe. ¶2. (C) Obasanjo recounted that his discussion with Mugabe focused mainly on the need for the Zimbabwean to clean up the political arena. The President told Mugabe that he would like to be able to support him in the Commonwealth but could not help Mugabe in that assembly unless Mugabe pledged himself and the GOZ to free and fair elections in March. ¶3. (U) Mugabe did not voice opposition to fair elections and indicated his understanding of Nigeria's position regarding the Commonwealth, Obasanjo said. Attempting to show his commitment to a free and fair contest but maintaining his animus towards London, Mugabe stated he would allow all EU and Commonwealth election observers, except for the UK, Obasanjo noted. The door would also open to the foreign press to cover the election, except for UK-based media. ¶4. (C) Obasanjo reported that the Africa Union would form a Foreign Ministers task force, which would presumably include Nigeria's Lamido, to meet on Zimbabwe. The group would meet February 10-11. ¶5. (C) In an effort to ease political tensions and to give the public a sign that reconciliation was possible, Obasanjo tried to broker a meeting between Mugabe and MDC leader Tsvangirai; however, Mugabe rejected the offer. SIPDIS ¶6. (C) Obasanjo concluded the pull aside, stating that he briefed Tsvangirai on his meeting with Mugabe and that the MDC leader seemed pleased. Jeter