NIGERIA: SENATOR NELSON MEETS WITH PRESIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001157

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EPET ENGR PTER NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SENATOR NELSON MEETS WITH PRESIDENT


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Classified By: Ambassador John J. Campbell for reasons 1.4 (b & d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. On June 2, Senator Bill Nelson met with
Nigerian newly-elected President Umaru Musa Yar'adua.
Yar'adua said that poverty alleviation is a priority in his
administration in order to stop the spread of Islamic
fundamentalism. He looked forward to greater intelligence
cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria. In addition,
Yar'adua said he would place addressing legitimate grievances
in the Niger Delta as a national priority and support
electoral reforms. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Senator Nelson traveled to Abuja accompanied by Mrs.
Grace Nelson, Chief of Staff Pete Mitchell and Staff Member
on the Senate Select Committee for Intelligence Caroline
Tess. Senator Nelson met with President Yar'adua and
representatives of the Nigerian State Security Service and
National Intelligence Agency.

SIT DOWN WITH YAR'ADUA
--------------


3. (C) On June 2, Senator Nelson, Ambassador Campbell, Mrs.
Nelson, Pete Mitchell, Caroline Tess and EconOff (notetaker)
met with President Yar'adua in the residence at the
Presidential Villa. The meeting took place four days after
the inauguration. Senator Nelson congratulated President
Yar'adua on his inauguration and praised the leadership of
the Nigerian State Security Services and National
Intelligence Agency, with whom he had met, for their
cooperation with U.S. intelligence agencies.

ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS
--------------


4. (C) Senator Nelson noted that al-Qa'ida (AQ) presented a
problem for both countries and that working together would be
important to prevent AQ from attacking oil facilities in the
Niger Delta. President Yar'adua said that U.S. and Nigerian
intelligence agencies are cooperating "very well" and that he
is also highly concerned about the threat of Islamic
fundamentalists. He said that further U.S. assistance and
intelligence sharing could help contain the threat.
President Yar'adua explained that during his eight-year term
as governor of Katsina state, he tried hard to prevent the
spread of fundamentalism. He lamented that in Kano State
fundamentalists had "infiltrated" the province during the
elections and caused violence. President Yar'adua underscored
that the spread of fundamentalism in Nigeria could be
"devastating" and that poverty provides fertile ground. He
stressed that part of his plan to address the spread of
fundamentalism included programs aimed at lessening poverty.

NIGER DELTA
--------------


5. (C) President Yar'adua opined that an AQ attack in the
Niger Delta, would cause serious trouble to the Nigerian
government (GON). Senator Nelson concurred and added it is
in both countries interest to stop AQ. The Senator remarked
that during his three-day-visit to Nigeria, at least 16
expats had been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, including women
and children. President Yar'adua responded that the Niger
Delta is a major problem and he plans to invite all the major
stakeholders to a meeting to create a national strategic plan
for development. He hoped to gain the trust of the people in
the Niger Delta and make the area less conducive to
criminality.


6. (C) Following the creation of a Niger Delta strategic
development plan, the President contended it would be vetted
in the National Assembly to build a national consensus on
action. President Yar'adua said it was a past mistake of the
GON to not develop a national consensus on solutions for the
Delta. He commented that it would take time for local
communities with genuine grievances to shift support from the
"militants" to the GON.


7. (C) President Yar'adua contended that the current policy
of companies to pay ransoms for hostages only encourages
criminals in the Niger Delta. He commented that the GON must

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improve its intelligence and military capabilities to locate
and destroy criminal elements operating in the Niger Delta.
He added that oil bunkering also supports the militants'
activities and must be stopped.

ELECTORAL CHALLENGES
--------------


8. (C) A major issue remaining was Nigeria's need for a
credible electoral system that follows the rule of law, said
President Yar'adua. He maintained that the back and forth of
the past 40 years had left Nigeria devoid of strong
institutions, but this most recent election had fused
democracy and free market principles for the first time.
President Yar'adua said that during his term "we need to get
it right." He expressed disappointment with the April
elections and said he had expected a better process. He
suggested that so many institutions are handicapped due to
corruption that disrespect for law and order permeate the
landscape.


9. (C) President Yar'adua told the Senator that he plans to
make the Independent National Electoral Commission truly
independent by removing administrative and budget control of
INEC from the executive branch. He underscored that
electoral changes will take time, but he wants Nigeria to
meet minimum international standards for all future elections.

COMMENT
--------------


10. (C) President Yar'adua appeared relaxed but with a
persistent cough during the meeting. At this early stage of
his Presidency it is unclear whether Yar'adua is willing and
able to tackle one of the most difficult issues facing
Nigeria.


11. (U) Senator Nelson cleared this cable.
CAMPBELL