(U) KUDOS FOR NIGER REFERENDUM REPORTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 102941

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2034
TAGS: PINR NG
SUBJECT: (U) KUDOS FOR NIGER REFERENDUM REPORTING
(C-AL9-02061)

REF: A. NIAMEY 000505

B. NIAMEY 000625

Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS WOULD LIKE TO SEND KUDOS FOR
REFTELS (NIAMEY 000505 AND NIAMEY 000625),WHICH PROVIDED
INSIGHT INTO THE POLITICAL PARTIES' VIEWS OF PRESIDENT
MAMADOU TANDJA'S REFERENDUM AND THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE
ELECTIONS IN OCTOBER. WE RECOGNIZE THAT POST WILL PROVIDE
COVERAGE OF THE ELECTIONS, BUT WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR
CONTINUED INTEREST IN THE QUESTIONS AND TOPICS BELOW.


A. (U) WHAT IS THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION REGARDING THE
ELECTORAL PROCESS? THE NEW CONSTITUTION? TANDJA'S EXTENDED
TERM?


B. (U) WHAT INDICATIONS, IF ANY, ARE THERE THAT TANDJA
MIGHT STEP DOWN WHEN HIS LEGITIMATE TERM ENDS IN DECEMBER?


C. (U) ARE PARTIES FOLLOWING THROUGH ON PLANS TO BOYCOTT
THE ELECTION? DOES THIS STRATEGICALLY HELP OR HURT THE
OPPOSITION? DOES IT GIVE AN ADVANTAGE TO MINOR PARTIES?


D. (U) PLEASE PROVIDE REPORTING ON TALK OF PROTESTS,
STRIKES, AND/OR VIOLENCE, AS TIMES AND RESOURCES ALLOW.


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-02061 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON