MADUEKWE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ABUJA 000163

SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, AF/PDPA, DRL, INR/AA
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/26
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER OVIP SOCI NI
SUBJECT: MADUEKWE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM AND
DEMOCRACY

CLASSIFIED BY: James P. McAnulty, Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy
Abuja, Political Section; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)

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SUMMARY

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1. (C) Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe reiterated to
Assistant Secretary Carson and the Ambassador February 9 his
country's full support for counter-terrorism engagement in Nigeria
and regionally and commitment to democratic principles and the
constitution during Yar'Adua's absence. Maduekwe also expressed
interest in strengthening bilateral relations through the proposed
Binational Commission (BNC),greater support for enhanced security,
and nomination of a new Ambassador to the United States. Special
Assistant Cook and PolOff (notetaker) also attended the meeting.
END SUMMARY.



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SECURITY IN SOMALIA

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2. (C) Foreign Minister Maduekwe informed Assistant Secretary
Carson of his recent conversations with Ethiopian Foreign Minister
Seyoum Mesfin and Somali President Sheikh Sharif, both of whom
expressed "excitement" about U.S. and Nigerian support for Somalia.
Maduekwe also conveyed Nigeria's support, explaining that "although
we are separated by miles from Somalia, Nigerians can be affected
just the same." Therefore, he said. Nigeria remained committed to
providing training, security, and other support where possible.
Ambassador Carson agreed that Somalia's problems presented not only
internal challenges, but regional and global ones -- from arms
trafficking and smuggling to refugees and Somali-American citizens
recruited as suicide bombers. Ambassador Carson noted that the
Ugandan, Kenyan, and Ethiopian Governments have all expressed their
strong commitment to security in Somalia -- explaining that all
three countries remained concerned with Somalia's insecurity
extending beyond its borders -- and encouraged Maduekwe to continue
his country's material and financial support and issue strong
statements in support of counter-terrorism and stabilization
efforts in Somalia.



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"COUNTRY OF INTEREST"

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3. (C) Assistant Secretary Carson acknowledged Nigeria's
frustration with the addition of Nigeria to the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) "countries of interest" listing and
suggested to Maduekwe that counter-terrorism issues need not
detract from the broader bilateral relationship, if handled
properly. He suggested five ways that the Nigerian Government
(GON) could demonstrate its commitment to counter-terrorism efforts
by: 1) officially acknowledging the problem in Nigeria; 2) issuing
strong statements on terrorism, especially on how terrorism has
affected Nigerian citizens; 3) beefing up airport security; 4)
expediting approval of the Air Marshal Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to permit travel by U.S. Air Marshals on outgoing flights
from Nigeria; and 5) approving counter-terrorism legislation to
facilitate prosecution and conviction of terrorists. The Foreign
Minister assured Ambassador Carson that he "agreed with everything"
he said, but insisted that he was not aware of a hold up in the
aviation agreement. He asserted that "there is no time to waste"
and promised to look into the matter immediately.

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4. (C) Foreign Minister Maduekwe assured Assistant Secretary Carson
that Nigerians were shocked when they heard that the Christmas
bomber came from Nigeria, adding that the incident "forced the
government to ask itself whether there were more like him out
there, waiting to try again." Maduekwe asserted that Nigeria could
not afford to wait for Americans or other countries to uncover
terrorists in their midst, insisting that Nigeria adopt a more
proactive approach. He praised the proposed establishment of the
U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC),which he said involved a
"great act of foresight, having existed well before the Christmas
Day bomber incident." He admitted, however, that "Nigeria cannot
pretend the BNC will be easy to implement, for which U.S. patience
would be needed and appreciated."



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ANAMBRA ELECTIONS

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5. (C) Ambassador Carson conveyed to Foreign Minister Maduekwe his
concern that the recent Anambra elections, while having credible
results for the people, suffered from administrative failures and
mismanagement, such as missing or inaccurate registration lists and
insufficient numbers of ballots. The Assistant Secretary told
Maduekwe that he recognized Anambra was a small state and just one
election and that the absence of the President could provide an
additional challenge, but that the administrative and management
problems must be addressed before the entire nation participates in
elections in 2011. Referring to the absence of Yar'Adua, Maduekwe
commented that "Nigeria has never experienced such a challenging
environment as they do now." Maduekwe added that Nigeria's
Constitution did not provide clear guidelines on such matters,
noting that Section 143 only gave the GON the ability to pronounce
on the President's incapacitation. The Foreign Minister explained
that, under Section 145, Yar'Adua had to write a letter
transferring power to the Vice President, but the real problem was
that no one knew his actual health status. He reassured Ambassador
Carson that, despite the noise in the press, a strong consensus
existed among the Cabinet, National Assembly, Governors' Forum, and
the Courts that Nigeria could not wait any longer. Maduekwe,
nonetheless, insisted that no power vacuum existed, the Vice
President exercised clear control of the country, and all Nigerians
remained committed to "common sense and the Constitution."



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ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CONSULATE

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6. (C) Ambassador Carson informed the Foreign Minister that the
U.S. had decided to open up a Consulate in Kano as a way to
strengthen outreach to more than 75 million Muslims in Nigeria's
Northern States. Maduekwe, in turn, informed Ambassador Carson of
the recent designation of a new Ambassador to the United States,
whom he described as a "seasoned and professional career diplomat,"
now awaiting word from the State Department. Maduekwe regretted
the events surrounding the previously-designated Ambassador had
caused considerable strain and delays in identifying and appointing
a new Ambassador.




7. (U) Participants:



United States:

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Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson

Ambassador Robin Renee R. Sanders

Special Assistant Akunna E. Cook

Embassy Political Officer Anthony R. Eterno (notetaker)



Nigeria:



Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe

Minister of State Alhaji Jibrin Maigari

Acting Permanent Secretary Ambassador A. A. Sekudo

Acting Ambassador to the U.S. Babagana Wakil

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs
Ambassador T. D. Hart

Regions Department Director Vincent Okoedion

Information and Communication Director Ozo Nwubo

North America and Caribbean Director Alhaji Rabiu Shehu

Special Assistant Professor Akinteriwa
SANDERS