Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA2222
2008-11-13 10:30:00
SECRET
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: SOURCE COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA'S
how-toVZCZCXRO9812 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2222 3181030 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 131030Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4428 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1497 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0483 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 0247 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
S E C R E T ABUJA 002222
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SOURCE COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA'S
HEALTH
REF: A. ABUJA 2147
B. ABUJA 2123 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
S E C R E T ABUJA 002222
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SOURCE COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA'S
HEALTH
REF: A. ABUJA 2147
B. ABUJA 2123 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (S) DOD/HIV Officer reported that Lebanese businessman
Ramzi Abu Hassan (strictly protect) met with Nigerian
President Yar'Adua on November 7 for approximately 20
minutes. Hassan reported to DOD/HIV Officer that Yar'Adua
seemed in reasonably good shape and appeared "with it" and
"on top of things." DOD/HIV Officer will try to elicit more
information from Hassan as appropriate.
2. (C) Hassan is a Lebanese businessman whose family has been
working in Nigeria for some time. He told DOD/HIV Officer
that his family has ties to the Yar'Adua family, through
which he was able to obtain the meeting. Hassan reported the
meeting was to discuss an ongoing business dispute with a
local Nigerian company and its director. He was seeking (and
reportedly obtained) Yar'Adua's assurances that he would not
be harassed by the police over what Hassan maintains are
false accusations made by the Nigerian company. Hassan's
company works with USAID/PEPFAR partners in supplying medical
equipment. Post has no reason to believe that he has
political or other motivations for providing this
information.
3. (C) COMMENT: It is surprising, and unusual, given what we
understand of the restrictions the Yar'Adua administration
has been placing on access to the President, that Hassan was
able to get a twenty minute meeting for an issue of less than
national importance. Hassan's access may be nothing more
than another indication that, in the Nigerian political
arena, relationships set priorities rather than vice versa.
END COMMENT.
4. (U) This cable coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Sanders
SIPDIS
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SOURCE COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA'S
HEALTH
REF: A. ABUJA 2147
B. ABUJA 2123 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (S) DOD/HIV Officer reported that Lebanese businessman
Ramzi Abu Hassan (strictly protect) met with Nigerian
President Yar'Adua on November 7 for approximately 20
minutes. Hassan reported to DOD/HIV Officer that Yar'Adua
seemed in reasonably good shape and appeared "with it" and
"on top of things." DOD/HIV Officer will try to elicit more
information from Hassan as appropriate.
2. (C) Hassan is a Lebanese businessman whose family has been
working in Nigeria for some time. He told DOD/HIV Officer
that his family has ties to the Yar'Adua family, through
which he was able to obtain the meeting. Hassan reported the
meeting was to discuss an ongoing business dispute with a
local Nigerian company and its director. He was seeking (and
reportedly obtained) Yar'Adua's assurances that he would not
be harassed by the police over what Hassan maintains are
false accusations made by the Nigerian company. Hassan's
company works with USAID/PEPFAR partners in supplying medical
equipment. Post has no reason to believe that he has
political or other motivations for providing this
information.
3. (C) COMMENT: It is surprising, and unusual, given what we
understand of the restrictions the Yar'Adua administration
has been placing on access to the President, that Hassan was
able to get a twenty minute meeting for an issue of less than
national importance. Hassan's access may be nothing more
than another indication that, in the Nigerian political
arena, relationships set priorities rather than vice versa.
END COMMENT.
4. (U) This cable coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Sanders