Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1760
2009-09-23 17:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO SAUDI ARABIA -- AGAIN
how-toVZCZCXRO2712 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHUJA #1760 2661742 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231742Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7082 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0139 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 1998 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0420
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001760
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, INR/AA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2010
TAGS: PGOV PREL OVIP ELAB PINR UNGA UNSC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO SAUDI ARABIA -- AGAIN
REF: A. ABUJA 1475 (NOTAL)
B. ABUJA 1645 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001760
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, INR/AA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2010
TAGS: PGOV PREL OVIP ELAB PINR UNGA UNSC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO SAUDI ARABIA -- AGAIN
REF: A. ABUJA 1475 (NOTAL)
B. ABUJA 1645 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Nigerian President Yar'Adua traveled again to Saudi
Arabia September 22, apparently for medical reasons. This
trip, the second to Saudi Arabia within three months (ref A),
replaces his scheduled visit to New York for the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
2. (C) Presidential Special Advisor on Media and Publicity
Olusegun Adeniyi announced September 21 that President
Yar'Adua would travel to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of
King Abdullah to witness the opening of the Abdullah
University of Science and Technology. Foreign Ministry (MFA)
North and Central America Director Toyin Solaja confirmed to
PolOff September 22 that Yar'Adua traveled to Saudi Arabia
and would not attend the UNGA, leaving Foreign Minister Ojo
Maduekwe (who is already in New York) leading Nigeria's
delegation.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (C) This is the second year in a row that Yar'Adua has not
attended the UNGA. Last year, he was also in Saudi Arabia on
medical treatment. This year, the MFA had indicated in early
summer that Yar'Adua would be going. However, his passing up
the opportunity to attend the POTUS Africa lunch, engage with
regional leaders, and promote Nigerian candidacy for a
rotating seat on the UN Security Council make the Saudi
trip's timing inauspicious. Media commentators said the
presidential statement represented a ruse for Yar'Adua's
health problems and a medical visit. Public universities
remain on a three-month strike here (Ref B),while Nigeria's
President inaugurates an academic institution abroad -- an
irony not lost on the Nigerian public. With Yar'Adua's
health limiting his ability to handle long international and
regional trips, his lack of attendance at this year's UNGA
further underscores Nigeria's lack of leadership on key
issues and at key fora. END COMMENT.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, INR/AA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2010
TAGS: PGOV PREL OVIP ELAB PINR UNGA UNSC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO SAUDI ARABIA -- AGAIN
REF: A. ABUJA 1475 (NOTAL)
B. ABUJA 1645 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Nigerian President Yar'Adua traveled again to Saudi
Arabia September 22, apparently for medical reasons. This
trip, the second to Saudi Arabia within three months (ref A),
replaces his scheduled visit to New York for the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
2. (C) Presidential Special Advisor on Media and Publicity
Olusegun Adeniyi announced September 21 that President
Yar'Adua would travel to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of
King Abdullah to witness the opening of the Abdullah
University of Science and Technology. Foreign Ministry (MFA)
North and Central America Director Toyin Solaja confirmed to
PolOff September 22 that Yar'Adua traveled to Saudi Arabia
and would not attend the UNGA, leaving Foreign Minister Ojo
Maduekwe (who is already in New York) leading Nigeria's
delegation.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (C) This is the second year in a row that Yar'Adua has not
attended the UNGA. Last year, he was also in Saudi Arabia on
medical treatment. This year, the MFA had indicated in early
summer that Yar'Adua would be going. However, his passing up
the opportunity to attend the POTUS Africa lunch, engage with
regional leaders, and promote Nigerian candidacy for a
rotating seat on the UN Security Council make the Saudi
trip's timing inauspicious. Media commentators said the
presidential statement represented a ruse for Yar'Adua's
health problems and a medical visit. Public universities
remain on a three-month strike here (Ref B),while Nigeria's
President inaugurates an academic institution abroad -- an
irony not lost on the Nigerian public. With Yar'Adua's
health limiting his ability to handle long international and
regional trips, his lack of attendance at this year's UNGA
further underscores Nigeria's lack of leadership on key
issues and at key fora. END COMMENT.
SANDERS