Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA219
2008-02-04 13:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: DAS MOSS'S MEETINGS WITH MOD AND NSA

Tags:  PGOV PREL MASS NI 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8668
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RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000219 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INR/AA
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DAS MOSS'S MEETINGS WITH MOD AND NSA


Classified By: Ambassador Robin Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000219

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INR/AA
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DAS MOSS'S MEETINGS WITH MOD AND NSA


Classified By: Ambassador Robin Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: During January 24 meetings at the Ministry
of Defense (MOD) and the office of the National Security
Adviser (NSA),Deputy Assistant Secretary Todd Moss expressed
U.S. concerns and views on Nigerian peacekeeping commitments,
the Niger Delta crisis, and U.S./Nigerian counterterrorism
cooperation. Minister of Defense Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed
indicated that the GON was moving forward on peacekeeping
deployments, was making progress in finding a political
solution to Niger Delta violence, and welcomed a limited U.S.
role in monitoring the possible rise of terror groups in
northern Nigeria. He ended his comments with advice for the
U.S. on how to deal with President Bashir and the Government
of Sudan. National Security Adviser Abdullahi Mukhtar
welcomed continued USG cooperation and assistance in dealing
with mutual regional security concerns, and discussed in
detail the history of the Niger Delta conflict. END SUMMARY.

--------------
Ministry of Defense
--------------


2. (C) Peacekeeping: Affirming that the GON wishes to be
"deeply involved in anything the U.S. wishes to pursue" to
improve the quality of life, security, and economic
opportunities for Africans, Minister Ahmed said that the GON
was "very committed to peacekeeping in Sudan." He further
reminded the U.S. delegation that, pending the receipt of
U.S.-furnished equipment, an additional Nigerian battalion
was ready for deployment there. Concerning AMISOM
deployment, Minister Ahmed said that there were no hitches
with the African Union save the Memorandum of Understanding,
which he expected to be resolved shortly. The troops, he
said, had been ready for the past year, and only required the
equipment the USG offered, the list for which had only
recently been forwarded to Post by the Chief of Defense
Staff's office.


3. (C) The Delta: Minister Ahmed claimed that ten days ago
President Umaru Yar'Adua had met with the leaders of Delta
civic and ethnic groups, discussing solutions to the crisis
and offering them development projects once violence died
down. He also acknowledged that the GON needs to regain the
confidence of oil companies, proffering the Joint Task Force
as "alert and looking for any measure they could take" to put
down criminality.


4. (C) Counterterrorism in the North and dealing with Sudan:
While U.S. intelligence cooperation was welcome, any direct
U.S. involvement in Nigerian counterterror operations would
be counterproductive. Ahmed said that having a Muslim
president made many northerners restless for the creation of
a more explicitly Islamic Nigeria; he claimed, however, that
the GON was closely monitoring the security environment.
Minister Ahmed ended the meeting with advice that in order to
make progress in Sudan, the U.S. should focus on recruiting
peacekeeping troops from "comfortable" countries whose
presence Bashir and the Sudanese people would find
acceptable, i.e. Arab/Muslim countries, not "northern" ones.
By way of example, countries like Norway would be difficult
for the Sudanese to accept given the problems of the recent
past with cartoons from Scandinavia.

--------------
National Security Advisor
--------------


5. (C) NSA Mukhtar recounted the history behind the conflict
in the Niger Delta, discussed counterterrorism issues in
Nigeria, and requested logistical assistance, enhanced
intelligence sharing, and aid in ending oil bunkering
(particularly in determining which countries are the largest
beneficiaries of bunkered oil) and stopping the traffic of
arms into the Delta by international arms cartels.


6. (U) THIS CABLE HAS BEEN CLEARED BY DAS MOSS.


7. (SBU) Participants:

ABUJA 00000219 002 OF 002



Ministry of Defense
--------------
U.S. side:
DAS Moss
Ambassador
DATT
ODC Chief
PolOff (Notetaker)

Nigerian side:
Minister of Defense Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed
Chief of Defense Staff General Owoye Andrew Azazi
Gen. K. Ekwo, representing the Chief of Army Staff
Admiral K. Ibrahim, representing Chief of Naval Staff
Air Vice Marshal O. Agwungwu, representing Chief of Air Staff

National Security Advisor
--------------
U.S. side:
DAS Moss
Ambassador
RAO Chief
PolOff (Notetaker)

Nigerian side:
NSA General Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar
Mr. Imohe, Director General of the National Intelligence
Agency
Colonel Musa (Ret'd),Office of the NSA
Abubakar Lili, Director of Internal Affairs, Office of the NSA
Mr. Uche, Government Secretariat
SANDERS