NIGERIA'S VICE PRESIDENT JONATHAN REASSURES U.S. HOMELAND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ABUJA 000061

SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA
STATE PLEASE PASS TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY (LUTE),ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POLICY (HEYMAN),AND OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/21
TAGS: PREL PTER EAIR OVIP PGOV PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S VICE PRESIDENT JONATHAN REASSURES U.S. HOMELAND
SECURITY DEPUTY SECRETARY LUTE OF "TOTAL COMMITMENT" AGAINST
TERRORISM

REF: EMAIL:FW: FW: (CO) NIGERIA'S VICE PRESIDENT JONATHAN REASSURES
U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY DEPUTY SECRETARY LUTE OF "TOTAL COMMITMENT"
AGAINST TERRORISM

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

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SUMMARY

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1. (C) Vice President Goodluck Jonathan reassured U.S.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Jane

Holl Lute of the commitment of the Nigerian Government

(GON) to aviation security and counter-terrorism efforts

during a January 12 meeting. He lamented the December 25

attempted bombing by Nigerian suspect Farouk Umar

Abdulmutallab and asked that the U.S. Government not

stigmatize Nigeria for the actions of an individual whose

actions contradicted Nigerian culture and beliefs.

Jonathan stated that he thought the GON would soon approve

the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (GON) on air

marshals after a few more administrative discussions. The

Vice President, like so many others in government, reduced

the December 25 event to a single act by a primarily

expatriate Nigerian. The senior leadership of Nigeria

continues to fail to acknowledge the greater problem of

external links with extremism. END SUMMARY.



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NEED FOR GREATER INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

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2. (C) DHS Deputy Secretary Lute, accompanied by

Ambassador, DHS Chief of Staff David Pressman, Assistant

Secretary for Policy David Heyman, Associate General

Counsel for Operations and Enforcement Brad Kieserman,

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) International

Affairs Director Robert Rottman, Embassy Political

Counselor, and Regional Affairs Chief, met January 12 with

Vice President Jonathan at his conference room at the

Presidential Villa. Discussions focused on international

cooperation to promote aviation security and prevent future

attempted bombings of civilian airliners similar to the

December 25 attack by a Nigerian national. She noted that

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terrorism represented a problem not just for the U.S.,

Nigeria, and the Netherlands, but for all responsible

nations. She encouraged greater international cooperation

on information sharing and use of technology to thwart the

efforts of al-Qaeda and other terrorists. The Deputy

Secretary also offered her best wishes for the recovery of

ailing President Yar'Adua and congratulations on Nigeria's

golden jubilee later this year.



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GON OPPOSED TO TERRORISM AND DESIGNATION

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3. (C) Vice President Jonathan welcomed the U.S. Delegation

and expressed GON "sadness" at the December 25 attempted

attack on a U.S. airliner. Noting that the GON has adopted

numerous counter-terrorism conventions, he expressed

surprise and indignation at USG designation of Nigeria as a

"country of interest." He described the alleged actions of

Abdulmutallab as "alien to the country's culture and

values," asserting that the education of this Nigeria-born

individual largely outside of Nigeria had "modified" his

thinking. Jonathan insisted that, while Nigeria has

occasionally witnessed violence by domestic extremists,

such groups have never employed suicide bombing.

Characterizing terrorism as an "offense against humanity,"

Jonathan noted that Abdulmutallab allegedly targeted not

just Americans but passengers of other nationalities,

possibly including Nigerians, whom he described as the

world's "most-traveled human beings." Jonathan expressed

concern that the designation of Nigeria as a "country of

interest" would stigmatize Nigerians and subject them to

unfair treatment. To date, he noted, he has received

reports daily of mistreatment of citizens, particularly in

Europe and Asia.



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GON "TOTALLY COMMITTED"

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4. (C) The Vice President repeatedly assured the Deputy

Secretary and her delegation that the GON remained "totally

committed" to promoting aviation security and fighting

terrorism. He pledged that the GON would "work quickly" to

approve a proposed MOU on air marshals to allow this

program to "take off" soon. Jonathan said Nigeria would

readily accept suggestions and assistance from the U.S. and

other nations to address any deficiencies. He noted that

he has held numerous internal meetings, including with

members of the National Assembly, to "head off" angry and

counter-productive reactions to the U.S. on the designation

of Nigeria as a "country of interest." As a peace-loving

nation actively involved in peace-keeping missions in

Africa, the Vice President declared that Nigeria would

always oppose terrorism. Lute, recalling her experience as

a former United Nations peace-keeper, remarked that she had

taken careful note of the Vice President's views. She

expressed interest in moving forward on counter-terrorism

efforts with the GON in a positive spirit of commitment and

determination.



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COMMENT

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5. (C) Designation as a "country of interest" continues to

attract GON anger and resentment. Nigerians, however, must

do more to combat terrorist links, but first they must

admit and acknowledge such links exist in Nigeria; thus

far, they have refused to do this. This will be the first

step needed for GON counterparts to transform largely

verbal commitments into concrete actions and results.

Recognition of the problem and prompt approval of the air

marshals MOU, for example, would present tangible evidence

of GON commitment to tackle the problem head on and enhance

aviation security to fight terrorism. END COMMENT.




6. (U) Deputy Secretary Lute departed Abuja before having

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the opportunity to clear on this telegram.
SANDERS