Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA1921
2006-07-25 11:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
how-toVZCZCXRO0231 PP RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN DE RUEHUJA #1921 2061122 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251122Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6564 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0067 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001921
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
REL TO USA GBR FRA DEU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PBTS MOPS PREL NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA:BAKASSI UPDATE
REF: ABUJA 1841 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Thomas P. Furey for Reasons 1.4 (b and
d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001921
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
REL TO USA GBR FRA DEU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PBTS MOPS PREL NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA:BAKASSI UPDATE
REF: ABUJA 1841 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Thomas P. Furey for Reasons 1.4 (b and
d)
1. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) On 24 July, Post hosted a
meeting of the local representatives of the four witness
states to the Greentree Accord on Bakassi, though the German
embassy was unable to send anyone. No representatives from
either the UK or France have yet traveled to the Bakassi
area. The French concurred that there was history of abuse
by Cameroonian gendarmes, and believed that concerns about
the welfare of Bakassi indigenes were justified. All agreed
that it was important for the witness states to continue to
make a visible show of interest in the implementation of the
agreement.
Military
--------------
2. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) COL Wahab, the Principal Staff
Officer (PSO) to Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff (CDS),
informed PolMilOff on 19 July that the CDS was flying to
Bakassi that day to witness/oversee the initial Nigerian
military withdrawal from Bakassi. The PSO said that the
withdrawal process would begin with "non-essential" troops,
but he did not elaborate.
3. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) The French DATT said that there
were "strong indications" that Nigerian troops had begun to
move out of Bakassi on 20 July, but expressed concern that
the Nigerian Army would be unable to move their larger
artillery pieces until after the rainy season. His
counterpart in Yaounde confirmed that Cameroonian troops were
reporting that Nigerian units began to withdraw from Bakassi
on 20 July, and also that Nigerian units deployed in Bakassi
cheered loudly enough to be heard on the Cameroonian side of
the lines when the announcement was made that their mission
was ending.
Ceremonies
--------------
4. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) According to the PSO to the CDS,
a formal event for the CDS of Nigeria to "hand over
authority" over Bakassi to the CDS of Cameroon was being
planned for 6 or 7 August in Bakassi, to be followed two days
later by a similar event with Presidents Obasanjo and Biya.
The PSO would speak to the Nigerian MFA and DIA about
ensuring invitations were extended to representatives of the
witness states.
5. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) The French DATT and PolCouns
had also heard there would be two ceremonies, one on 5 August
in Archibong with the Defense Chiefs and one on 10 August in
Calabar with the two presidents. The British DCM also had
heard those dates. The Nigerian Director of Military
Intelligence, on 24 July, had a "JTF Withdrawal from Bakassi"
event marked on his calendar for 10 August.
Local Reaction
--------------
6. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) Nigerian press reports continue
to cover Bakassi, with stories increasingly focused on the
sensational--calls for secession, death threats against
political leaders, and last-ditch efforts to nullify the
Greentree Accord. Some press reports and Embassy contacts
have questioned the legality of the Greentree Accord,
expressing a desire for the National Assembly to consider the
agreement before it is implemented. Bakassi's LGA chair has
been quoted by the press delivering moderating messages,
supporting the relocation program and downplaying
secessionist messages.
FUREY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
REL TO USA GBR FRA DEU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PBTS MOPS PREL NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA:BAKASSI UPDATE
REF: ABUJA 1841 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Thomas P. Furey for Reasons 1.4 (b and
d)
1. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) On 24 July, Post hosted a
meeting of the local representatives of the four witness
states to the Greentree Accord on Bakassi, though the German
embassy was unable to send anyone. No representatives from
either the UK or France have yet traveled to the Bakassi
area. The French concurred that there was history of abuse
by Cameroonian gendarmes, and believed that concerns about
the welfare of Bakassi indigenes were justified. All agreed
that it was important for the witness states to continue to
make a visible show of interest in the implementation of the
agreement.
Military
--------------
2. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) COL Wahab, the Principal Staff
Officer (PSO) to Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff (CDS),
informed PolMilOff on 19 July that the CDS was flying to
Bakassi that day to witness/oversee the initial Nigerian
military withdrawal from Bakassi. The PSO said that the
withdrawal process would begin with "non-essential" troops,
but he did not elaborate.
3. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) The French DATT said that there
were "strong indications" that Nigerian troops had begun to
move out of Bakassi on 20 July, but expressed concern that
the Nigerian Army would be unable to move their larger
artillery pieces until after the rainy season. His
counterpart in Yaounde confirmed that Cameroonian troops were
reporting that Nigerian units began to withdraw from Bakassi
on 20 July, and also that Nigerian units deployed in Bakassi
cheered loudly enough to be heard on the Cameroonian side of
the lines when the announcement was made that their mission
was ending.
Ceremonies
--------------
4. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) According to the PSO to the CDS,
a formal event for the CDS of Nigeria to "hand over
authority" over Bakassi to the CDS of Cameroon was being
planned for 6 or 7 August in Bakassi, to be followed two days
later by a similar event with Presidents Obasanjo and Biya.
The PSO would speak to the Nigerian MFA and DIA about
ensuring invitations were extended to representatives of the
witness states.
5. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) The French DATT and PolCouns
had also heard there would be two ceremonies, one on 5 August
in Archibong with the Defense Chiefs and one on 10 August in
Calabar with the two presidents. The British DCM also had
heard those dates. The Nigerian Director of Military
Intelligence, on 24 July, had a "JTF Withdrawal from Bakassi"
event marked on his calendar for 10 August.
Local Reaction
--------------
6. (C/REL USA GBR FRA DEU) Nigerian press reports continue
to cover Bakassi, with stories increasingly focused on the
sensational--calls for secession, death threats against
political leaders, and last-ditch efforts to nullify the
Greentree Accord. Some press reports and Embassy contacts
have questioned the legality of the Greentree Accord,
expressing a desire for the National Assembly to consider the
agreement before it is implemented. Bakassi's LGA chair has
been quoted by the press delivering moderating messages,
supporting the relocation program and downplaying
secessionist messages.
FUREY