US embassy cable - 01ABUJA1264

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001264 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2011 
TAGS: PREL, XA, IO, TBIO, NI, UNGA 
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN DEMARCHE ON UNGASS RESOLUTION ON HIV/AIDS 
AND CUBA EMBARGO 
 
 
REF: SECSTATE 95264 
 
 
Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter; Reasons 1.5 (B/D). 
 
 
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel demarche regarding Cuba trade 
embargo language in the HIV/AIDS draft resolution the morning 
of June 1.  Minister-Counsellor Katherine Jackden, UN 2nd 
Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is handling 
UNGASS preparations, received the demarche.  Ms. Jackden 
agreed that side issues could detract from the intensive 
focus on the AIDS problem, and that political differences 
should be set aside in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  She said 
she would communicate the demarche talking points to her 
"highest superiors" immediately.  She declined to take a 
position on the Cuba trade embargo language, saying 
"consultations" with the Nigerian delegation to the PrepCom 
would be necessary. 
 
 
2.  (C)  During a previously-scheduled call by the Ambassador 
on MFA Permanent Secretary T.D. Hart later in the day, we 
again raised the issue.  Hart said he thought the GON would 
agree that the HIV/AIDS fight should not be politicized by 
bilateral U.S. - Cuban issues.  Hart asked for specific 
references from the draft resolution and said he would try to 
have the GON weigh in with Cuba at a high level.  Perhaps, 
time permitting, the GON could convince a few other African 
countries to demarche Havana also, he said.  Note: we 
subsequently obtained the relevant text from AF/EPS and 
delivered them to Hart.  End note. 
 
 
2.  (C) Comment.  Although the Nigerians often agree with us 
in broad terms that non-ideological issues such as HIV/AIDS 
should be dicussed without distracting side issues, there 
exists a strong propensity to support fellow members of the 
NAM and the G-77.  However, Hart is a senior and very 
experienced diplomat.  His strong positive reaction indicates 
that Nigeria will very likely try hard to convince Cuba to 
back down.  But we cannot be certain what Nigeria will do if 
Cuba sticks to its guns on the floor of the PrepCom.  End 
comment. 
Jeter