Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUJA571
2004-04-02 05:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
ENCOURAGING DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT ON ZIMBABWE
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000571
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI NI
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT ON ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 44610
Classified By: A/DCM CLAUDIA E. ANYASO FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000571
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI NI
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT ON ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 44610
Classified By: A/DCM CLAUDIA E. ANYASO FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) After Charge had requested meetings over the past
month with the Foreign Minister and UnderSecretary for
African Affairs, A/DCM was given an appointment and delivered
reftel demarche on Zimbabwe to MFA African Affairs Director
Steve A. Owolabi on March 26. Owolabi characterized
Nigeria's relationship with Zimbabwe as having been strained
since the GOZ's December decision to pull out of the
Commonwealth. Nevertheless, he noted that Nigeria's
relationship with Zimbabwe historically has been good and the
GON hopes to continue to work towards a solution to
Zimbabwe's political and economic problems.
2. (C) When asked about steps the GON was willing to take on
Zimbabwe, Owolabi could not offer specifics and only
commented that the GON believed publicizing its efforts on
Zimbabwe would only make it more difficult to work with the
GOZ and to reach a settlement with Zimbabwe's political
opposition. Owolabi was not able to comment on possible
steps other African states and institutions might take with
regard to Zimbabwe either, nor provide GON recommended
benchmarks for gauging progress toward the resolution of the
political crisis in Zimbabwe. He asked for a non-paper, and
post gave him a slightly updated set from the reftel talking
points.
3. (U) Embassy followed up with the MFA Permanent Secretary
March 31, and will continue with other senior MFA officials
in the next week.
ROBERTS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI NI
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT ON ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 44610
Classified By: A/DCM CLAUDIA E. ANYASO FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) After Charge had requested meetings over the past
month with the Foreign Minister and UnderSecretary for
African Affairs, A/DCM was given an appointment and delivered
reftel demarche on Zimbabwe to MFA African Affairs Director
Steve A. Owolabi on March 26. Owolabi characterized
Nigeria's relationship with Zimbabwe as having been strained
since the GOZ's December decision to pull out of the
Commonwealth. Nevertheless, he noted that Nigeria's
relationship with Zimbabwe historically has been good and the
GON hopes to continue to work towards a solution to
Zimbabwe's political and economic problems.
2. (C) When asked about steps the GON was willing to take on
Zimbabwe, Owolabi could not offer specifics and only
commented that the GON believed publicizing its efforts on
Zimbabwe would only make it more difficult to work with the
GOZ and to reach a settlement with Zimbabwe's political
opposition. Owolabi was not able to comment on possible
steps other African states and institutions might take with
regard to Zimbabwe either, nor provide GON recommended
benchmarks for gauging progress toward the resolution of the
political crisis in Zimbabwe. He asked for a non-paper, and
post gave him a slightly updated set from the reftel talking
points.
3. (U) Embassy followed up with the MFA Permanent Secretary
March 31, and will continue with other senior MFA officials
in the next week.
ROBERTS