Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ABUJA711
2002-03-06 09:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000711
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA -- ZIMBABWE IN THE NEWS
Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter. Reasons 1.5 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000711
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA -- ZIMBABWE IN THE NEWS
Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter. Reasons 1.5 (b) and
(d).
1. (U) To the apparent chagrin of President Obasanjo, news of
the President's late January discussions with President
Mugabe in Harare has leaked. ThisDay February 26 reported
Presidential Special Assistant Tunji Oseni refuting rumors
that Obasanjo offered asylum to Mugabe. In his statement,
Oseni claimed that rumors of the offer and of Nigeria
positioning a helicopter in Harare to afford Mugabe a quick
exit should he lose the election were "baseless and untrue."
Oseni reportedly said the two Heads of State never discussed
the possibility of Mugabe's departure.
2. (C) Oseni's public disclaimer, however, does not jibe
exactly with what NSA Aliyu Mohammed told us privately.
During a February conversation with Ambassador Jeter
(septel),Mohammed stated that Obasanjo recommended to Mugabe
that he retire and not seek reelection. However, Mugabe said
he was committed to running and could not back down. The
Zimbabwean reportedly hinted that he might consider
retirement after winning the election. ( Mugabe's last
statement strikes us probably as unlikely as it is illogical.)
3. (SBU) Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress and the
Ghanaian Trade Union Congress, after a conference in Abuja,
issued a communique condemning electoral restrictions in
Zimbabwe. The communique described recent Government of
Zimbabwe measures as restrictive, repressive and calculated
to perpetuate Mugabe's tenure in office. NLC castigation of
Mugabe is a noteworthy sign that the NLC leadership believes
its commitment to democracy should outweigh other
considerations that, in the past, often kept organized labor
from echoing Western criticism of many African leaders'
undemocratic practices. The NLC also might have a more
parochial reason for the statement. It probably wanted to
send a signal to domestic politicians that organized labor
also will not endorse electoral skullduggery at home in 2003.
4. (C) Comment: Based on what Mohammed told us, Oseni's press
denial is not completely accurate. Because of Obasanjo's
involvement in Zimbabwe and his personal approach to
resolving crisis, it would not come as a shock if Obasanjo
offered asylum to Mugabe. (Nigeria has certainly harbored
deposed leaders before.) However, before broaching retirement
with Mugabe, Obasanjo would have given the issue some
thought. He would have had in mind that Mugabe would need a
place to retire to and that place would have to accept Mugabe
while being acceptable to him. In Obasanjo's mind, Nigeria
would be just as good if not a better option than any other
country.
Jeter
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA -- ZIMBABWE IN THE NEWS
Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter. Reasons 1.5 (b) and
(d).
1. (U) To the apparent chagrin of President Obasanjo, news of
the President's late January discussions with President
Mugabe in Harare has leaked. ThisDay February 26 reported
Presidential Special Assistant Tunji Oseni refuting rumors
that Obasanjo offered asylum to Mugabe. In his statement,
Oseni claimed that rumors of the offer and of Nigeria
positioning a helicopter in Harare to afford Mugabe a quick
exit should he lose the election were "baseless and untrue."
Oseni reportedly said the two Heads of State never discussed
the possibility of Mugabe's departure.
2. (C) Oseni's public disclaimer, however, does not jibe
exactly with what NSA Aliyu Mohammed told us privately.
During a February conversation with Ambassador Jeter
(septel),Mohammed stated that Obasanjo recommended to Mugabe
that he retire and not seek reelection. However, Mugabe said
he was committed to running and could not back down. The
Zimbabwean reportedly hinted that he might consider
retirement after winning the election. ( Mugabe's last
statement strikes us probably as unlikely as it is illogical.)
3. (SBU) Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress and the
Ghanaian Trade Union Congress, after a conference in Abuja,
issued a communique condemning electoral restrictions in
Zimbabwe. The communique described recent Government of
Zimbabwe measures as restrictive, repressive and calculated
to perpetuate Mugabe's tenure in office. NLC castigation of
Mugabe is a noteworthy sign that the NLC leadership believes
its commitment to democracy should outweigh other
considerations that, in the past, often kept organized labor
from echoing Western criticism of many African leaders'
undemocratic practices. The NLC also might have a more
parochial reason for the statement. It probably wanted to
send a signal to domestic politicians that organized labor
also will not endorse electoral skullduggery at home in 2003.
4. (C) Comment: Based on what Mohammed told us, Oseni's press
denial is not completely accurate. Because of Obasanjo's
involvement in Zimbabwe and his personal approach to
resolving crisis, it would not come as a shock if Obasanjo
offered asylum to Mugabe. (Nigeria has certainly harbored
deposed leaders before.) However, before broaching retirement
with Mugabe, Obasanjo would have given the issue some
thought. He would have had in mind that Mugabe would need a
place to retire to and that place would have to accept Mugabe
while being acceptable to him. In Obasanjo's mind, Nigeria
would be just as good if not a better option than any other
country.
Jeter