Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NIAMEY473
2008-05-05 14:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
how-toVZCZCXRO5567 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0473 1261410 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051410Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4283 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUZEHAA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000473
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ REACTS TO TANDJA SPEECH
REF: NIAMEY 433
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000473
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ REACTS TO TANDJA SPEECH
REF: NIAMEY 433
1. In his April 23 address marking the anniversary of the
1995 agreement ending the rebellion of the early 1990s,
President Tandja said, inter alia:
-- the GON is open to discussion with different parts of
Nigerien society;
-- it continues to greet with open arms and to listen to
those who agree to talks;
-- it invites those who continue to bear arms to lay down
those arms, release their hostages, reintegrate peacefully,
and join their brother and sisters in building the nation;
-- the country has no need for a fratricidal conflict, but of
reflection and work;
-- Niger is a sovereign country which will defend its
sovereignty and internal security;
-- There will not be any accommodation with those involved in
trafficking; and,
-- it is legitimate to ask who is supporting those behind the
attacks in the north.
2. Some optimistic observers highlighted as a possible
softening of the GON position Tandja's reference to being
open to discussion, as well as the fact that he did not refer
to the MNJ as bandits, criminals or traffickers.
3. Even before Tandja's speech, GON officials had expressed a
willingness to negotiate with the MNJ, but only if the group
first disarmed.
4. An April 29 posting on the MNJ website signed by MNJ
President Aghali Alambo dismissed Tandja's speech as no
different from earlier ones, except for the omission of the
word "bandits." Alambo said the MNJ had always preferred
negotiation, but stressed that it would define the conditions
for negotiations, to include: the lifting of the state of
alert in the north; an independent investigation into the
massacre of civilians; the liberation of people being
arbitrarily detained; and the cessation of intimidation,
kidnappings and other human rights violations committed by
the security services. He said that disarmament could only be
decided through negotiations.
5. The MNJ web site on May 4 reported fighting between MNJ
and GON forces near Gougaram. It claimed to have killed five
GON soldiers and seriously wounded another seven. It also
claimed that the GON lost an ultralight surveillance
aircraft.
ALLEN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ REACTS TO TANDJA SPEECH
REF: NIAMEY 433
1. In his April 23 address marking the anniversary of the
1995 agreement ending the rebellion of the early 1990s,
President Tandja said, inter alia:
-- the GON is open to discussion with different parts of
Nigerien society;
-- it continues to greet with open arms and to listen to
those who agree to talks;
-- it invites those who continue to bear arms to lay down
those arms, release their hostages, reintegrate peacefully,
and join their brother and sisters in building the nation;
-- the country has no need for a fratricidal conflict, but of
reflection and work;
-- Niger is a sovereign country which will defend its
sovereignty and internal security;
-- There will not be any accommodation with those involved in
trafficking; and,
-- it is legitimate to ask who is supporting those behind the
attacks in the north.
2. Some optimistic observers highlighted as a possible
softening of the GON position Tandja's reference to being
open to discussion, as well as the fact that he did not refer
to the MNJ as bandits, criminals or traffickers.
3. Even before Tandja's speech, GON officials had expressed a
willingness to negotiate with the MNJ, but only if the group
first disarmed.
4. An April 29 posting on the MNJ website signed by MNJ
President Aghali Alambo dismissed Tandja's speech as no
different from earlier ones, except for the omission of the
word "bandits." Alambo said the MNJ had always preferred
negotiation, but stressed that it would define the conditions
for negotiations, to include: the lifting of the state of
alert in the north; an independent investigation into the
massacre of civilians; the liberation of people being
arbitrarily detained; and the cessation of intimidation,
kidnappings and other human rights violations committed by
the security services. He said that disarmament could only be
decided through negotiations.
5. The MNJ web site on May 4 reported fighting between MNJ
and GON forces near Gougaram. It claimed to have killed five
GON soldiers and seriously wounded another seven. It also
claimed that the GON lost an ultralight surveillance
aircraft.
ALLEN