VZCZCXRO1722
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #0163/01 0421948
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 111948Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0269
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS IMMEDIATE
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA IMMEDIATE 0080

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) 
 
------- 
 
SUMMARY 
 
------- 
 
 
 
¶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. 
 
 
 
-------------------- 
 
SECURITY IN SOMALIA 
 
-------------------- 
 
 
 
¶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. 
 
 
 
--------------------- 
 
"COUNTRY OF INTEREST" 
 
--------------------- 
 
 
 
¶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. 
 
ABUJA 00000163  002 OF 003 
 
 
¶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." 
 
 
 
----------------- 
 
ANAMBRA ELECTIONS 
 
----------------- 
 
 
 
¶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." 
 
 
 
------------------------------ 
 
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CONSULATE 
 
------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶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: 
 
ABUJA 00000163  003 OF 003 
 
 
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