NIGER: FOREIGN MINISTER CONVOKES DIPLOMATIC CORPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000924 C O R R E C T E D COPY (PASS LINE DELETED) SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF AND AF/W; PLS PASS TO USAID/AFR/W PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019 TAGS: PTER ASEC AMGT CASC NG SUBJECT: NIGER: FOREIGN MINISTER CONVOKES DIPLOMATIC CORPS TO SECURITY MEETING REF: NIAMEY 898 Classified By: Ambassador Bernadette M. Allen, Reason: 1.4 d ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On Wednesday, November 18, Government of Niger (GON) Foreign Minister (FM) Mindaoudou convoked the diplomatic corps to a meeting to discuss security concerns. She reported on the attempted kidnapping in Tahoua (reftel), indicated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will circulate a diplomatic note requesting that all missions report the travels of all personnel and, inquired how the partners may assist the GON in the fight against terrorism in the region. End summary. ¶2. (C) In a meeting exclusively for the diplomatic corps chiefs of mission and senior representatives for international organizations, the FM reported on the attempted kidnapping that occurred in Tahoua. (Note. The first reports of the security incident began to appear in local newspapers in Niamey on November 17. End note.) The FM added that the GON believes that a couple of the individuals who attempted the kidnapping in Tahoua are the same ones who abducted two former Canadian diplomats eleven months ago (December 2008) some 45 miles from Niamey. She noted that GON security services arrested a Mauritanian a few weeks ago who is believed to have been involved in the attack on the French in Nouakchott. She stated the individual, for whom she couldn't recall the name, is being held by security authorities in Niamey and that the Government of Mauritania has requested extradition. ¶3. (SBU) The FM insisted that each and every time partners plan to travel outside the capital that the itinerary be provided to the MFA, so that the Nigerien authorities can take appropriate measures. She stated that two weeks ago another group attempted to abduct two Chinese nationals working in Agadem, but were unsuccessful. She made reference to past security summits between Mali, Algeria, Libya and Niger, and emphasized that the regional partners do as much as they can with the little means they have at their disposition to combat drug trafficking, crime and terrorism. ¶4. (SBU) Diplomatic corp members' questions centered around how the GON anticipated protecting foreigners working in non-governmental organizations, foreign businesses in the regions or contractors working on roads and other infrastructure projects. The FM replied that NGOs should inform the regional authorities of their travel itineraries. When pressed on who was the right "authority" to notify, she suggested the mayors or prefet. For persons implanted in the regions and known to local authorities, such as road construction engineers, U.S. Peace Corps and Japanese (JICA) volunteers, she stated they should inform the prefet when they are traveling to Niamey or to other regions. When asked whether we should discourage business travelers and tourists from coming to Niger, the FM said she saw no need to discourage tourism, that we should inform such persons to remain vigilant and report travel plans to local authorities. ¶5. (SBU) In closing the meeting, the FM reiterated the GON need for assistance from partners to combat drug trafficking, banditry and terrorism. She expressed GON appreciation for and more desire for the partner's cooperation and collaboration on security-related matters. ALLEN