NIGERIA UNLIKELY TO OFFER SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FOR

UNCLAS ABUJA 000294

SIPDIS


EMBASSY VIENNA, PLEASE PASS TO IAEA


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD KNNP TRGY PREL OVIP OPDC IAEA
SUBJECT: NIGERIA UNLIKELY TO OFFER SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FOR
IAEA BUDGET INCREASE


REF: STATE 013752





1. (U) On January 24 ECONOFF passed Deputy Secretary
Armitage's letter (REFTEL) to the Ministry's Assistant
Director for First United Nations Division A.O. Idowum who
said he would pass it to Foreign Minister Lamido. Idowu was
aware of the proposed increase in the IAEA's 2004-2005
budget. While noncommittal on the proposed increase, he
claimed that Nigeria is up to date in its financial
obligation to the IAEA.



2. (U) Idowu has been handling IAEA and disarmament issues
for the past four years and he rates Nigeria's engagement
with the IAEA highly, specifically thanking the IAEA for
training staff of the National Hospital, National Agency for
Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),and
academics from a number of universities during the last two
years.



3. (U) Idowu also showed an interest in the International
Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources March 10-13,
2003 in Vienna. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will inform
the Energy Commission of Nigeria and the Nigerian Nuclear
Regulatory Authority, advising both organizations to send
representatives to the conference.



4. (SBU) Comment: It is doubtful that Idowu's enthusiasm and
support will be reflected in tangible Nigerian support for an
IAEA budget increase at a time when Nigeria's budget is
already stretched thin. For instance, the Foreign Ministry
has reportedly been unable to pay its power and telephone
bills in many embassies. However, Idowu assured us Deputy
Secretary Armitage's letter would reach the Foreign

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Minister's desk with a positive recommendation.


JETER