NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DEA EXPULSION FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002206 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SNAR NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DEA EXPULSION FROM BOLIVIA DELIVERED REF: STATE 118934 Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b & d). ¶1. (C) On November 11, PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' International Organizations Second UN Division. Ibrahim suggested that the situation in Bolivia is linked to existing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, and noted that the MFA had also received demarches from Venezuela requesting the GON's understanding and support. Ibrahim promised, however, that he would instruct his colleagues in Vienna and New York to encourage Bolivia to reconsider the DEA expulsion. While Ibrahim said the MFA would be happy to offer political support at the global level, he requested continued collaboration at the agency level between INL and Nigeria's NDLEA. More specifically, Ibrahim asked the U.S. to share any information on the effect DEA's expulsion could have on Nigeria. PolCouns assured Ibrahim that the U.S. would maintain its current working relationship with the GON in the fight against drug trafficking. Sanders