NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED IN SUPPORT OF KOSOVO'S

UNCLAS ABUJA 000644 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/IFD/OMA AND IFD/ODF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED IN SUPPORT OF KOSOVO'S IMF AND WORLD BANK MEMBERSHIP BID REF: SECSTATE 33629 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ) HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) On April 17, the Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Minister of Finance (MinFin),Mansur Muhtar. MinFin Muhtar took our points on board, but said he wanted to consult with the Foreign Minister. Ambassador noted that she had already spoken to the FonMin on April 12 where he indicated he would discuss with Muhtar his recommendation to support a positive vote. The Ambassador noted strong USG interest in this issue and support for Kosovo and that it was important for the GON to send in its official response in writing soonest, which we hoped would be yes, but also because a quorum was needed. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador followed up with FonMin in an April 17 telecon after Muhtar meeting. FonMin repeated his view that he would recommend to Muhtar positive support for Kosovo membership, and would speak to the Finance Minister prior to his own departure April 19 for Geneva. Note: The GON has not/not recognized Kosovo as an independent country, due to GON sensitivities about its own secessionist history which date from the 1967-70 Biafra War. End Note. SANDERS