Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1822
2008-09-08 16:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIAN FONMIN COMMENTS ON YAR'ADUA'S HEALTH
how-toVZCZCXRO7805 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1822 2521613 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 081613Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3920 INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS IMMEDIATE 9916 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001822
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN FONMIN COMMENTS ON YAR'ADUA'S HEALTH
REF: ABUJA 1736
Classified By: CDA Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001822
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN FONMIN COMMENTS ON YAR'ADUA'S HEALTH
REF: ABUJA 1736
Classified By: CDA Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) During a September 8 meeting with Foreign Minister
Maduekwe, DRL A/S Kramer asked if President Yar'Adua was back
from Saudi Arabia and was any better. Maduekwe said the
President had indeed returned to Nigeria on Saturday morning,
though the Minister had not seen him personally. He claimed
that Yar'Adua's condition is "not life-threatening, otherwise
he wouldn't be back."
2. (C) Maduekwe remarked that the press speculation about the
President's health "has become increasingly unhealthy," and
contrasted the "disrespectful" coverage in the Nigerian media
with what he said was the more balanced coverage given to the
chronic medical ills of past U.S. Presidents, such as
President Kennedy's Addison's disease.
3. (C) Comment: While admittedly thin gruel, Maduekwe is at
least no longer pretending that Yar'Adua is fine, and is
inherently acknowledging that the President is chronically
ill. Press reports that Yar'Adua would host some sort of
public ceremony to decorate the new Service Chiefs with their
new ranks have proved untrue. We, and everyone else here,
will be watching to see if the President is able to resume
any kind of schedule. End comment.
PIASCIK
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN FONMIN COMMENTS ON YAR'ADUA'S HEALTH
REF: ABUJA 1736
Classified By: CDA Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) During a September 8 meeting with Foreign Minister
Maduekwe, DRL A/S Kramer asked if President Yar'Adua was back
from Saudi Arabia and was any better. Maduekwe said the
President had indeed returned to Nigeria on Saturday morning,
though the Minister had not seen him personally. He claimed
that Yar'Adua's condition is "not life-threatening, otherwise
he wouldn't be back."
2. (C) Maduekwe remarked that the press speculation about the
President's health "has become increasingly unhealthy," and
contrasted the "disrespectful" coverage in the Nigerian media
with what he said was the more balanced coverage given to the
chronic medical ills of past U.S. Presidents, such as
President Kennedy's Addison's disease.
3. (C) Comment: While admittedly thin gruel, Maduekwe is at
least no longer pretending that Yar'Adua is fine, and is
inherently acknowledging that the President is chronically
ill. Press reports that Yar'Adua would host some sort of
public ceremony to decorate the new Service Chiefs with their
new ranks have proved untrue. We, and everyone else here,
will be watching to see if the President is able to resume
any kind of schedule. End comment.
PIASCIK