Total Pumping Again in Nigeria

UNCLAS LAGOS 001394 SIPDIS STATE PASS TO EXIM, OPIC AND TDA LONDON AND PARIS PASS TO AFRICA WATCHERS KABUL PASS TO SROSS DIA/J2 PASS TO GHAYES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EPET EINV ELAB PGOV ECON NI SUBJECT: Total Pumping Again in Nigeria REF: Lagos 1383 ¶1. O.B. Haffner, Corporate Affairs Manager for Total Nigeria, told ECONOFF on Friday, July 9, that the company has resumed crude oil production from its Elf Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. unit. Total's Nigeria production was closed for one week as a result of a union dispute (reftel). Haffner said Total's production should reach "optimal level" by the end of the day. ¶2. Haffner noted that negotiations with the white- collar union PENGASSAN have not concluded, and no agreement has been finalized. Nonetheless, he said, the unions are satisfied by the company's level of commitment to the talks, and he said a fair agreement should be within reach. "All is well now," Haffner concluded. KRAMER