NIGER: EU DELEGATION HEAD EXPLAINS VIEWS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000027

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA, ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY,
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID SOCI KDEM EU US NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: EU DELEGATION HEAD EXPLAINS VIEWS ON
NIGERIEN POLITICAL IMPASSE, COTONOU ACCORD CONSULTATIONS

REF: 09 NIAMEY 1005

Classified By: DCM Eric Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C/NF) Summary: Although the EU has suspended budgetary
support to the Government of Niger (GON) due to recent
anti-constitutional actions by President Tandja, it will
continue humanitarian aid, including food security.
According to the EU Head of Delegation, the EU has provided a
120-day window in its Cotonou Accord consultations with the
GON, during which it is monitoring negotiations between the
GON and the political Opposition. Although the Embassy plans
not to attend President Tandja's January 13 New Year's
address to the diplomatic corps, the EU has decided to do so
in consideration of ongoing GON-Opposition dialogue, which it
is monitoring as an element of the EU's ongoing Cotonou
Accord consultation with the GON. The German DCM recently
noted that the ECOWAS Mediator for the GON-Opposition
negotiations had asked the EU expressly not to issue a
statement following the December 22 end of President Tandja's
second term of office under the 1999 Constitution, even as
the USG chose to do so. End summary.

EY Delegation Head: 120-Day Window; Assessment Coming
-------------- --------------

2. (C/NF) On January 6, European Union (EU) Head of
Delegation Hans-Peter Schadek (protect) called on DCM to
confer on the current Nigerien political impasse and the
demise of democracy over the past half year. Schadek said
that the EU had decided to provide the Government of Niger
with a 120-day period from December 8, 2009 to pursue
political accommodation with the Opposition in relation to
ongoing Cotonou Accord Article 96 consultations between the
EU and the GON. In early February 2010, the EU will conduct
a mid-term assessment of progress to date in the
GON-Opposition negotiations as a part of the EU-GON
consultations. The EU, he added, was not considering travel
restrictions on GON officials at this time.

EU Budget Aid Suspended, Humanitarian Aid to Continue
-------------- --------------

3. (C/NF) Schadek stated that the EU had "provisionally"
suspended direct budgetary support to the GON, and that no
new programs that were not humanitarian in nature )
including food security - would be launched. Those existing
would run their course and not be "renewed." Humanitarian
programs to be continued included those involving "vulnerable
groups" and those in the Agadez area of northern Niger, which
had been hit hard by late 2009 flooding and the consequences
of nearly three years of rebel conflict.


4. (SBU) DCM provided Schadek English and French copies of
the December 23 statement by the Department of State
regarding the USG decision to suspend non-humanitarian
assistance and levy travel restrictions against the GON, and
clarified the nature and extent of assistance programs that
the USG would continue to provide to Niger.

Schadek: President Tandja to Address Dip Corps
-------------- --

5. (C/NF) Before departing, Schadek recalled that the annual
New Year's address of the diplomatic corps by President
Tandja would soon occur, and inquired as to whether the U.S.
Embassy would be represented. The DCM responded that the
matter was under consideration, and that the Embassy would
notify Schadek subsequently of its decision; Schadek
indicated that his inclination at present was not to
participate. On January 12, DCM advised Schadek that the
Embassy had decided not to participate in the January 13
event; Schadek said that while he would represent the EU at
President Tanja's address, he would leave the event promptly.
He noted that the EU-GON consultation process was ongoing,
and that no conclusion yet had been reached.

Mediator Asks EU to not Issue Statement
--------------

6. (C/NF) Note: On New Year's Eve, German Deputy Chief of
Mission Thomas Weber (protect) had advised DCM that ECOWAS
Mediator for the Inter-Nigerien Political Dialogue (reftel)
retired General and former Nigerian head of state Abdulsalami
Aboubakar had asked the EU not to issue a statement in the
wake of the passing of December 22, which would have been the

NIAMEY 00000027 002 OF 002


last day of President Tandja's second term in office, and
final day under the 1999 Constitution. End note.

ALLEN