VZCZCXRO9365
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1157/01 1590702
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 080702Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9780
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0355
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0356
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 7061
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001157 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EPET ENGR PTER NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SENATOR NELSON MEETS WITH PRESIDENT 
 
 
ABUJA 00001157  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador John J. Campbell for reasons 1.4 (b & d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY.  On June 2, Senator Bill Nelson met with 
Nigerian newly-elected President Umaru Musa Yar'adua. 
Yar'adua said that poverty alleviation is a priority in his 
administration in order to stop the spread of Islamic 
fundamentalism.  He looked forward to greater intelligence 
cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria.  In addition, 
Yar'adua said he would place addressing legitimate grievances 
in the Niger Delta as a national priority and support 
electoral reforms.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) Senator Nelson traveled to Abuja accompanied by Mrs. 
Grace Nelson, Chief of Staff Pete Mitchell and Staff Member 
on the Senate Select Committee for Intelligence Caroline 
Tess.  Senator Nelson met with President Yar'adua and 
representatives of the Nigerian State Security Service and 
National Intelligence Agency. 
 
SIT DOWN WITH YAR'ADUA 
---------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) On June 2, Senator Nelson, Ambassador Campbell, Mrs. 
Nelson, Pete Mitchell, Caroline Tess and EconOff (notetaker) 
met with President Yar'adua in the residence at the 
Presidential Villa.  The meeting took place four days after 
the inauguration.  Senator Nelson congratulated President 
Yar'adua on his inauguration and praised the leadership of 
the Nigerian State Security Services and National 
Intelligence Agency, with whom he had met, for their 
cooperation with U.S. intelligence agencies. 
 
ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS 
----------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) Senator Nelson noted that al-Qa'ida (AQ) presented a 
problem for both countries and that working together would be 
important to prevent AQ from attacking oil facilities in the 
Niger Delta.  President Yar'adua said that U.S. and Nigerian 
intelligence agencies are cooperating "very well" and that he 
is also highly concerned about the threat of Islamic 
fundamentalists.  He said that further U.S. assistance and 
intelligence sharing could help contain the threat. 
President Yar'adua explained that during his eight-year term 
as governor of Katsina state, he tried hard to prevent the 
spread of fundamentalism.  He lamented that in Kano State 
fundamentalists had "infiltrated" the province during the 
elections and caused violence. President Yar'adua underscored 
that the spread of fundamentalism in Nigeria could be 
"devastating" and that poverty provides fertile ground.  He 
stressed that part of his plan to address the spread of 
fundamentalism included programs aimed at lessening poverty. 
 
NIGER DELTA 
----------- 
 
¶5. (C) President Yar'adua opined that an AQ attack in the 
Niger Delta, would cause serious trouble to the Nigerian 
government (GON).  Senator Nelson concurred and added it is 
in both countries interest to stop AQ.  The Senator remarked 
that during his three-day-visit to Nigeria, at least 16 
expats had been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, including women 
and children.  President Yar'adua responded that the Niger 
Delta is a major problem and he plans to invite all the major 
stakeholders to a meeting to create a national strategic plan 
for development.  He hoped to gain the trust of the people in 
the Niger Delta and make the area less conducive to 
criminality. 
 
¶6. (C) Following the creation of a Niger Delta strategic 
development plan, the President contended it would be vetted 
in the National Assembly to build a national consensus on 
action.  President Yar'adua said it was a past mistake of the 
GON to not develop a national consensus on solutions for the 
Delta.  He commented that it would take time for local 
communities with genuine grievances to shift support from the 
"militants" to the GON. 
 
¶7. (C) President Yar'adua contended that the current policy 
of companies to pay ransoms for hostages only encourages 
criminals in the Niger Delta.  He commented that the GON must 
 
ABUJA 00001157  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
improve its intelligence and military capabilities to locate 
and destroy criminal elements operating in the Niger Delta. 
He added that oil bunkering also supports the militants' 
activities and must be stopped. 
 
ELECTORAL CHALLENGES 
-------------------- 
 
¶8. (C) A major issue remaining was Nigeria's need for a 
credible electoral system that follows the rule of law, said 
President Yar'adua.  He maintained that the back and forth of 
the past 40 years had left Nigeria devoid of strong 
institutions, but this most recent election had fused 
democracy and free market principles for the first time. 
President Yar'adua said that during his term "we need to get 
it right."  He expressed disappointment with the April 
elections and said he had expected a better process.  He 
suggested that so many institutions are handicapped due to 
corruption that disrespect for law and order permeate the 
landscape. 
 
¶9. (C) President Yar'adua told the Senator that he plans to 
make the Independent National Electoral Commission truly 
independent by removing administrative and budget control of 
INEC from the executive branch.  He underscored that 
electoral changes will take time, but he wants Nigeria to 
meet minimum international standards for all future elections. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶10. (C) President Yar'adua appeared relaxed but with a 
persistent cough during the meeting.  At this early stage of 
his Presidency it is unclear whether Yar'adua is willing and 
able to tackle one of the most difficult issues facing 
Nigeria. 
 
¶11. (U) Senator Nelson cleared this cable. 
CAMPBELL