Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA2300
2008-11-24 10:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED, UNGA RESOLUTIONS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002300
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON
USUN FOR AMB. GERALD SCOTT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED, UNGA RESOLUTIONS
REF: STATE 123081
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002300
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON
USUN FOR AMB. GERALD SCOTT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED, UNGA RESOLUTIONS
REF: STATE 123081
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Maria Laose,
Director of the First United Nations Division at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on November 21. Laose maintained that the
political realities of Nigeria's membership in the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the fact that
President Yar'Adua is a northern Nigerian Muslim precluded
Nigeria voting with the U.S. on Palestinian related
resolutions generally, and in particular the three contained
in reftel demarche. She commented that "the status quo has
created no problems for us," and that even the smallest of
changes from no to abstain (or absence) brought furious
pressure from the OIC and others.
2. (C) Nevertheless, Laose suggested that Nigeria might be
persuaded to abstain or be absent for the votes if the USG
were to offer an attractive enough incentive. She
specifically suggested USG support for a Nigerian permanent
seat on an expanded UN Security Council, noting that France
had supported South Africa's bid. She said Nigeria's
substantial contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations
(approximately three times the amount contributed by either
Egypt or South Africa, and 43% more than the two combined),
large population, and long-standing role in the
"decolonization of Africa," including chairing the UN
committee which stood against South African apartheid, have
amply demonstrated its leadership role. Laose added that
Egypt represented the Arab population and not the black
African population of the continent. (Comment: We report to
indicate the kind of response we get even from fairly senior
Nigerian MFA officials to our efforts to get them to
reconsider their UN voting record. End Comment.)
3. (C) On November 6, the Ambassador also stressed the USG's
desire for greater Nigerian support in UN voting overall,
while delivering a demarche specifically on the Iran, Burma
and North Korean resolutions to Professor Bola Akinterinwa,
Special Adviser to the Foreign Minister.
Sanders
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON
USUN FOR AMB. GERALD SCOTT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED, UNGA RESOLUTIONS
REF: STATE 123081
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Maria Laose,
Director of the First United Nations Division at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on November 21. Laose maintained that the
political realities of Nigeria's membership in the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the fact that
President Yar'Adua is a northern Nigerian Muslim precluded
Nigeria voting with the U.S. on Palestinian related
resolutions generally, and in particular the three contained
in reftel demarche. She commented that "the status quo has
created no problems for us," and that even the smallest of
changes from no to abstain (or absence) brought furious
pressure from the OIC and others.
2. (C) Nevertheless, Laose suggested that Nigeria might be
persuaded to abstain or be absent for the votes if the USG
were to offer an attractive enough incentive. She
specifically suggested USG support for a Nigerian permanent
seat on an expanded UN Security Council, noting that France
had supported South Africa's bid. She said Nigeria's
substantial contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations
(approximately three times the amount contributed by either
Egypt or South Africa, and 43% more than the two combined),
large population, and long-standing role in the
"decolonization of Africa," including chairing the UN
committee which stood against South African apartheid, have
amply demonstrated its leadership role. Laose added that
Egypt represented the Arab population and not the black
African population of the continent. (Comment: We report to
indicate the kind of response we get even from fairly senior
Nigerian MFA officials to our efforts to get them to
reconsider their UN voting record. End Comment.)
3. (C) On November 6, the Ambassador also stressed the USG's
desire for greater Nigerian support in UN voting overall,
while delivering a demarche specifically on the Iran, Burma
and North Korean resolutions to Professor Bola Akinterinwa,
Special Adviser to the Foreign Minister.
Sanders