AF A/S FRAZER'S MAY 29 MEETING WITH NIGERIA PRESIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001265 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, CA/OCS/ACS/AF, DS/IOP/AF DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/ICI/PII DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON PTER NI SUBJECT: AF A/S FRAZER'S MAY 29 MEETING WITH NIGERIA PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA Classified by Ambassador John Campbell for reasons 1.4 (b & d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a May 29 meeting with A/S Frazer, newly inaugurated President Yar'Adua said he would reform Nigeria's flawed electoral system and continue his predecessor's economic reforms. He has established peace and security in the Delta as a first priority of his administration. He indicated sympathy and understanding for U.S. requests for increased Nigerian engagement in various Liberia, Somalia and Darfur issues. He affirmed the value he places on a close bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the U.S. End summary. ¶2. (C) On the afternoon of Inauguration Day, AF Assistant Secretary Frazer called on President Yar'Adua at the President's office at Aso Villa. She was accompanied by the Ambassador. The Assistant Secretary opened by congratulating the President on his Inauguration and on his Inaugural address. She conveyed to the new President greetings from President Bush and Secretary Rice, and expressed strong American support for Nigeria, which we consider to be a significant U.S. partner. In reply, President Yar'Adua thanked the Assistant Secretary for her coming, and extended his own good wishes to President Bush and to the American people. He said that during his tenure in office, he looked forward to expanding and developing the U.S.-Nigeria relationship. ¶3. (C) The Assistant Secretary then turned to three Nigeria issues of concern to the U.S.: electoral reform, maintenance of the economic reform agenda and the Niger Delta. She noted U.S. disappointment with the conduct of the election and offered to work with the Nigerian government on electoral reform. She expressed concern for those American citizens now being held hostage in the Delta. She said that the U.S. wants to assist the Nigerian authorities with development and security in the Delta. She referred to the positive results thus far of the economic reform agenda, and noted the importance of maintaining the momentum. ¶4. C) Turning to African regional issues, she expressed U.S. condolences on the six Nigerian soldiers killed in Darfur. She noted President Bush's speech announcing additional U.S. sanctions against Sudan and the work we are leading on a draft Security Council resolution that would widen existing sanctions on Khartoum. She said that we regard the Khartoum government as an important partner on Sudan north/south issues; nevertheless, the situation in Darfur is getting out of hand - Khartoum is continuing to bomb in the region. Our sanctions are also designed to pressure President Bashir to accept the hybrid African Union/UN peacekeeping force. She observed that the new African Union commander, Nigerian Gen. M.L. Agwai has our full confidence. ¶5. (C) With respect to Somalia, the Assistant Secretary continued, the AU will deploy a force until the UN can take over. She recalled former President Obasanjo's promise that Nigeria would provide some necessary military forces for this purpose. But, recently Gen. Agwai (in his capacity as Chief of Defense Staff) had said that no Nigerian forces were available. The Assistant Secretary emphasized that the need is great, and asked President Yar'Adua to review the issue and hoped after his review that he will keep his predecessor's promise. ¶6. (C) The Assistant Secretary asked Nigeria to join the U.S. in supporting Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Administration's efforts to clear Liberia arrears. Specifically, she asked President Yar'Adua to forgive the arrears owed by Liberia to the Nigerian Trust Fund. Without Nigeria's help, she continued, a gap in African Development Bank debt relief financing could block Liberia's access to financial support for reconstruction and development. She noted that the U.S. has already committed USDOLS 15 million to help Liberia clear its arrears and is seeking an additional USDOLS 35 million from Congress to catalyze other donors to close the remaining gaps at the International Financial Institutions on Liberia's behalf. She observed that Nigeria and the U.S. have long been partners on Liberia, and resolution of arrears is an important next step. ¶7. (C) President Yar'Adua began his response by observing that all of the issues raised by the Assistant Secretary were a priority for his administration. The need for electoral reform went to the heart of Nigeria's democratic development. He said that there has emerged in Nigeria a consensus in support for democracy conducted according to the rule of law. It is necessary to do everything necessary to ensure that democracy and the rule of law continues to take root. It ABUJA 00001265 002 OF 002 is essential to get the elections process right: his administration would do everything possible to ensure that the electoral process is reformed. He said he hoped that the elections tribunals currently adjudicating disputes would complete their work within six months. Upon the completion of the Tribunals' work, his government would take steps to create a truly independent national elections commission, and that its funding would be a first, direct charge on the Federation Account, thereby ensuring its fiscal independence. ¶8. (C) As for the Delta, the President continued, it is essential to Nigeria's survival as a nation, and its peace, security, and development must be a national priority. The goal must be to end insecurity and criminality and ensure the safety of lives and property. He looked to consulting with all the stakeholders and development partners as to the way forward. ¶9. (C) President Yar'Adua affirmed his commitment to continuing the macro-economic reforms initiated by his predecessor. Continued liberalization and deregulation of the private sector would be pursued vigorously by his administration. It was essential if the rate of economic growth were to increase from the current 6-7 percent range to his goal of 12 percent per year. He cited the power and energy sectors as especially requiring his administration's attention. ¶10. (C) Turning to Darfur and Somalia, President Yar'Adua said that Nigeria will continue to work with the U.S., to "invest in peace." In fact, Nigeria would try to increase its contribution. ¶11. (C) President Yar'Adua said that Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had also approached him about debt relief. Nigeria, he continued, will do as much as it can so that Liberia would become eligible for reconstruction funding. The U.S. and Nigeria have already done so much in Liberia, he continued, that both countries have a duty to do what is possible to restore that country. ¶12. (C) The Assistant Secretary closed by noting that the incumbent ambassador leaves post this summer and that the U.S. has asked for agrement for his successor. She hoped that Nigeria could expedite a response to that request to avoid a long gap. She also noted that it might be possible for the Nigerian and U.S. Presidents to meet on the margins of the June G-8 meeting. ¶13. (C) Comment: This was the first meeting between the new President and a high-level State Department official. The President was cordial, thoughtful, and thoroughly engaged throughout the conversation. He reiterated the value he places on a close bilateral relationship with the U.S. and with the Bush administration. His comments on the priority of the Delta and his commitment to electoral reform paralleled those he had made earlier in the day in his inaugural speech. On Darfur, Somalia and Liberia, while he made no specific commitments, he showed support and understanding for the U.S. request for his early review of the need for Nigerian assistance. His demeanor was vigorous throughout, despite an exhausting day of Inaugural events and high-level meetings. End comment. ¶14. (U) This message has been cleared by Assistant Secretary Frazer. CAMPBELL