STUDENT GROUP PLANS TO DEMONSTRATE FOR DEBT RELIEF

UNCLAS ABUJA 001005

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC EFIN NI
SUBJECT: STUDENT GROUP PLANS TO DEMONSTRATE FOR DEBT RELIEF

REF: ABUJA 962

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.


1. (SBU) A group calling itself the International Debt
Relieve (sic) Campaign Project Committee of NANS, the
National Association of Nigerian Students, called the Embassy
June 7 to say they were planning a demonstration June 8 at or
as near the Embassy as the GON will allow. The group claims
it has a GON permit, which the Nigerian police have not
confirmed, and Embassy RSO told them to stay outside the
Embassy's security cordon. The group says it will present a
letter to the Ambassador (who is not and will not be at post)
asking U.S. support for debt relief at the June 8-10 G8
Summit at Sea Island.


2. (SBU) Comment: NANS is a long-established student
organization, but there is no evidence these students are
representing NANS. President Obasanjo is expected to make a
strong pitch for debt relief when he attends the Sea Island
G8 Summit.
ROBERTS