AMBASSADOR'S POSITIVE DISCUSSION WITH NIGERIAN

UNCLAS ABUJA 002604 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA, TREASURY FOR PETERS ADN HALL, DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV ETRD ECON EFIN NI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S POSITIVE DISCUSSION WITH NIGERIAN PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA ON BIT REF: TANSEY/MOSS 13 DECEMBER 2007 EMAIL SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador followed-up on instruction to engage Nigerian President Yar,Adua on his interest in moving forward with a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United States, on the fringes of the December 14, 2007, civil society event hosted by the Academy for Education Development (AED) in a short pull aside in AED,s green room. Ambassador raised the issue in the context of the two fruitful December 13, 2007, discussions between both POTUS and President Yar,Adua, and the subsequent meeting between the latter and the Secretary on the importance of investment for Nigeria,s growth, and in the context of the in-depth discussion on energy sector issues. Yar,Adua immediately seized the opportunity to highlight that he was seeking to have trade and investment treaties with "all those countries where we seek to have stronger partnerships and friendships" and that "the BIT seemed to fit into my thinking." He wanted to ensure that there were legal frameworks -- in line with his strong stance on the rule of law -- that were respected to further enhance and advance investment and trade relations, particularly with the United States. ¶2. (SBU) The Nigerian President went on to say that he would notify his Commerce Minister immediately and have him be prepared to be actively engaged with the USG on all levels to advance the dialogue on the BIT. Ambassador told him that she would let him know next steps soonest on this issue and would find out when such a dialogue or a team could come out to further advance discussions. She noted that some dialogue had already taken place as a result of a recent visit of a USG team within our Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA),which has recently left Abuja; however, we also sought his personal strong commitment on the issue, which he said we had. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy will follow-up not only directly with the Nigerian President, but also continue our dialogue on this issue with other senior government economic and trade contacts. The template for a BIT agreement itself has already been forwarded to the Commerce Ministry and to the economic advisors at the President,s Villa (ref). Ambassador plans a post-Washington follow-up with Yar,Adua on several issues where this will be raised as well as the need for an over solid point of contact on trade and investment challenges that may arise or are currently in need of resolution. Although the President was very upbeat about the "idea" of the BIT, the details and in-depth changes here that will be necessary for fruitful BIT dialogue will need to be reviewed with him very closely to ensure that the GON recognizes just what kind of level of commitment will be required for this desire to turn into a reality and to move the economic and trade side of the US-GON partnership forward. SANDERS