Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA2423
2007-11-21 15:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
SCENESETTER FOR AMB YATES AND VICE ADMIRAL MOELLER
how-toVZCZCXRO2657 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2423/01 3251516 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211516Z NOV 07 ZFR ZFR ZFR FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1489 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8303 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002423
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PMIL KPKO NI
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR AMB YATES AND VICE ADMIRAL MOELLER
ABUJA 00002423 001.2 OF 002
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ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR
PLEASE ZFR ABUJA 2423 IMI ABUJA 2423 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS
CABLE WAS SENT IN ERROR. PER DRAFTER.
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ABUJA 00002423 002 OF 002
5. (C) Violence in the Niger Delta appears to be escalating
after several months' lull. Unrest and kidnappings of
foreigners subsided substantially in the first months of the
Yar'Adua administration, but there have been renewed
incidents of violence targeted at western oil facilities in
the last month. In addition, militants have escalated their
attacks against the hapless Nigerian Navy, killing sailors
and stealing equipment and boats. Nigeria is the West's
partner in the Gulf of Guinea Energy Security Strategy
dialogue process; however, its inability to control the
violence within the Delta is a black mark on its leadership.
With more than US$3 billion in U.S. investment (mostly in the
oil industry),participation in a solution to the problems in
the Delta is a high priority for the USG and U.S. oil
companies alike. The situation is further complicated by the
November 12 attack on a Cameroonian military post in the
Bakassi peninsula, in which 20 gendarmes died. While the
identity of the assailants and their motive for attack is yet
unknown, it is believed by some that this could be an attempt
by militants to widen the conflict.
GAINING NIGERIAN SUPPORT FOR AFRICOM
--------------
6. (C) We believe that much of the Nigerian resistance to
Africom can be overcome by reminding the GON of the value
that Africom adds to USG humanitarian, counterterrorism, and
training efforts in Africa, and reassuring them that Africom
will not erode Nigerian sovereignty in any way. Nigerian
officials, publicly and privately, have expressed frustration
that their high-level political and military leadership were
not brought into the discussion during Africom's early
planning stages. Always protocol conscious, the mere fact
that senior command leadership is visiting Abuja will go a
long way toward soothing offended sensibilities. Embassy
Abuja's Public Affairs Section is planning a press event,
which will be a good opportunity to publicly express USG
acknowledgment of and appreciation for Nigeria's leadership
role in African affairs, especially peacekeeping. While at
this stage it is unlikely that the GON will publicly reverse
its stated opposition to any West Africa-based Africom
element, we believe that your visit will mitigate the
influence of some of the continent's more strident Africom
opponents, and may ensure a more helpful behind-the-scenes
role played by the GON as Africom progresses toward full
operational status.
PIASCIK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PMIL KPKO NI
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR AMB YATES AND VICE ADMIRAL MOELLER
ABUJA 00002423 001.2 OF 002
-------------- --------------
ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR
PLEASE ZFR ABUJA 2423 IMI ABUJA 2423 AND ALL ASSOCIATED MCNS
CABLE WAS SENT IN ERROR. PER DRAFTER.
-------------- --------------
ABUJA 00002423 002 OF 002
5. (C) Violence in the Niger Delta appears to be escalating
after several months' lull. Unrest and kidnappings of
foreigners subsided substantially in the first months of the
Yar'Adua administration, but there have been renewed
incidents of violence targeted at western oil facilities in
the last month. In addition, militants have escalated their
attacks against the hapless Nigerian Navy, killing sailors
and stealing equipment and boats. Nigeria is the West's
partner in the Gulf of Guinea Energy Security Strategy
dialogue process; however, its inability to control the
violence within the Delta is a black mark on its leadership.
With more than US$3 billion in U.S. investment (mostly in the
oil industry),participation in a solution to the problems in
the Delta is a high priority for the USG and U.S. oil
companies alike. The situation is further complicated by the
November 12 attack on a Cameroonian military post in the
Bakassi peninsula, in which 20 gendarmes died. While the
identity of the assailants and their motive for attack is yet
unknown, it is believed by some that this could be an attempt
by militants to widen the conflict.
GAINING NIGERIAN SUPPORT FOR AFRICOM
--------------
6. (C) We believe that much of the Nigerian resistance to
Africom can be overcome by reminding the GON of the value
that Africom adds to USG humanitarian, counterterrorism, and
training efforts in Africa, and reassuring them that Africom
will not erode Nigerian sovereignty in any way. Nigerian
officials, publicly and privately, have expressed frustration
that their high-level political and military leadership were
not brought into the discussion during Africom's early
planning stages. Always protocol conscious, the mere fact
that senior command leadership is visiting Abuja will go a
long way toward soothing offended sensibilities. Embassy
Abuja's Public Affairs Section is planning a press event,
which will be a good opportunity to publicly express USG
acknowledgment of and appreciation for Nigeria's leadership
role in African affairs, especially peacekeeping. While at
this stage it is unlikely that the GON will publicly reverse
its stated opposition to any West Africa-based Africom
element, we believe that your visit will mitigate the
influence of some of the continent's more strident Africom
opponents, and may ensure a more helpful behind-the-scenes
role played by the GON as Africom progresses toward full
operational status.
PIASCIK