NIGERIAN PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON TAYLOR

UNCLAS ABUJA 001630

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL LI NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON TAYLOR


REF: A. ABUJA 1576 AND PREVIOUS

B. LAGOS 1928 AND PREVIOUS

C. FBIS AFP20030918000148


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR PUBLICATION ON THE
INTRANET OR INTERNET.



1. (SBU) According to press reports, the Nigerian
Presidential Spokesman, Mrs. Remi Oyo, told the press Tuesday
evening September 26 that the GON was displeased with Charles
Taylor. She is quoted as saying, "The GON has made it clear
to Mr. Taylor that it will not tolerate any breach of these
conditions and others which forbid him from engaging in
active communications with anyone engaged in political,
illegal or government activities." Also, "The GON wishes to
state that the conditions given, and accepted by Mr. Taylor,
for his asylum in Nigeria, clearly forbid any interference in
the ongoing political process aimed at ending the prolonged
crisis in Liberia and returning the country to peace and
normalcy." She was responding to a question on allegations
by UNSYG Special Envoy Klein that Taylor was making phone
calls to Liberian officials.



2. (SBU) Mrs. Oyo's quoted statement is in line with GON
public policy that Taylor must be kept under control, and
with the general Nigerian antipathy for Taylor (Refs A and
B). But our contacts at the Foreign Ministry and Presidency
have been unable to confirm that the Presidency made such a
statement, and Mrs. Oyo has been backpedaling in public since
(Ref C to the BBC) from the idea that the GON was confirming
Klein's accusations.
MEECE