NIGERIA: IOM CANDIDATE DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS ABUJA 000111 SIPDIS SIPDIS ADDIS FOR USAU DEPT FOR PRM, AF, AF/W, INR/AA ENERGY FOR CAROLYN GAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PREL SMIG NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: IOM CANDIDATE DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 4089 ¶1. PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Charles Onianwa, Director of the Northern and Central American Division at Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Onianwa was unaware of any confusion over the two candidates for Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM),but said he would pass the information on to the Foreign Minister prior to the AU Summit in Addis Ababa beginning on January 26. Mr. Onianwa said the Foreign Minister is expected to attend the AU Summit and would likely be willing to meet with Ambassador Swing. ¶2. PolOff also delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Charles A. Ononye, Deputy Director of the International Organizations Division at Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Ononye acknowledged some confusion over the two U.S. candidates for the IOM DG position and appreciated the clarification. Mr. Ononye said he will pass the information on to his superiors and the Foreign Minister's office, but suggested a formal letter from the U.S. government be sent to the Foreign Minister explaining the USG position prior to the election. Mr. Ononye also said that the Foreign Minister would likely be willing to meet with Ambassador Swing at the AU Summit as long as formal meeting requests were sent through proper channels. Although Mr. Ononye would not go as far as promising support for Ambassador Swing, he acknowledged Ambassador Swing (who was, inter alia, once US Ambassador to Nigeria) as a good candidate for the DG position and said that he has a very good reputation in Africa's diplomatic circle. (NOTE: Mr. Ononye said he served in South Africa at the same time as Ambassador Swing and has high regard for him. END NOTE.) ¶3. Post will follow up as the June election nears. PIASCIK