Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUJA390
2003-02-24 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO NAM STATEMENT DEMARCHE

Tags:  PARM AINF IZ NI MY UNSC NAM 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000390 

SIPDIS


CAIRO FOR MAXSTADT


E.O. 12958: DECL:2/20/2013
TAGS: PARM AINF IZ NI MY UNSC NAM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO NAM STATEMENT DEMARCHE

Refs: State 47493
- Kuala Lumpur 944
- Abuja 344 (NOTAL)
- Abuja 353 (NOTAL)


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5(b).


C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000390

SIPDIS


CAIRO FOR MAXSTADT


E.O. 12958: DECL:2/20/2013
TAGS: PARM AINF IZ NI MY UNSC NAM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO NAM STATEMENT DEMARCHE

Refs: State 47493
- Kuala Lumpur 944
- Abuja 344 (NOTAL)
- Abuja 353 (NOTAL)


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5(b).



1. (C) DCM February 22 delivered ref A points to MFA
Permanent Secretary Ambassador T.D. Hart. Hart took the USG
position on board, promising to convey it to FM Sule Lamido.



2. (C) COMMENT: Nigeria believes that Iraq must be disarmed
through the UN Security Council but that Saddam must realize
that the USG will not stand down its forces without a strong
justification. Detail on Nigeria's position is contained in
refs C&D. Hart echoed ref A points as DCM made them, but it
was not clear whether he did so out of personal or official
agreement or was simply reiterating to make sure he grasped
them fully.



3. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: President Obasanjo makes his own
decisions on foreign policy issues and was already in Kuala
Lumpur by Saturday morning, Nigeria time. The President's
International Affairs Advisor, Ad'Obe Obe, accompanied his
boss to Singapore and Malaysia. Obe is clear-headed, knows
Nigeria's national interests and can influence Obasanjo on
foreign policy issues. He has been accessible to us in Abuja.
Lamido, on the other hand, often succumbs to the allure of
stand-up-to-the-West NAM "solidarity" and may be harder for
the USG to engage effectively. Hart noted, however, that it
was Lamido (in Kuala Lumpur since Friday) who was involved in
the "nitty-gritty" of drafting the statement. END COMMENT.



4. (U) Note: Abuja does not seem to be a member of the NAM
Collective. We will request inclusion septel. The Department
is requested to insert Abuja as a separate addressee until
such time as the collective can be updated.
JETER