NIGERIA: UWECHUE SAYS GON WILL CONSIDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000263 SIPDIS CAIRO FOR MAXSTADT PARIS FOR NEARY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2013 TAGS: PREL MOPS MASS KPKO NI IV SUBJECT: NIGERIA: UWECHUE SAYS GON WILL CONSIDER INVOLVEMENT IN CDI FORCE AFTER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) During a January 9 meeting with Ambassador Jeter, Nigerian Special Presidential Envoy on Conflict Resolution Ambassador Raph Uwechue discussed the evolving crisis in Cote d'Ivoire and the possibility of Nigerian involvement in the ECOWAS peacekeeping force deploying to the country. ¶2. (C) Uwechue said the GON was unlikely to consider participation in the ECOWAS force until after Nigeria's April presidential elections. Uwechue added that President Obasanjo would have more time to focus on Cote d'Ivoire now that he has won the PDP nomination and feels comfortable about winning the general election. ¶3. (C) Noting that Nigeria had been noticeably "missing in action" during much of the Ivoirien crisis and peace negotiations, Ambassador said that even if Nigeria could not participate in the ECOWAS peacekeeping force, it should lend its weight to find a diplomatic and political solution to the crisis. Uwechue agreed whole-heartedly and asked the Ambassador to carry this message to President Obasanjo. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Subsequent to the meeting with Uwechue, who is a seasoned and sophisticated diplomat, Ambassador has discussed with President Obasanjo the need for greater Nigerian diplomatic engagement on Cote d'Ivoire. From what we have seen of Nigerian efforts in the past few weeks, our entreaty seems to be paying off. END COMMENT. JETER