US embassy cable - 04ABUJA1365

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001365 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/W FOR EPSTEIN 
AF/RSA FOR BITTRICK 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, MARR, MASS, NI, HUMANRIGHTS 
SUBJECT: SECURITY COOPERATION: OBASANJO EMPHASIZES HUMAN 
RIGHTS IN WAR COLLEGE GRADUATION SPEECH 
 
REF: A. STATE 155895 
 
     B. ABUJA 1330 
     C. ABUJA 1295 
     D. ABUJA 1126 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN CAMPBELL FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
1. (U) President Obasanjo emphasized the importance of 
military respect for human rights during an August 6 address 
to the graduating class of the National War College.  He 
termed support for democratic institutions, and respect for 
human rights, to be a fundamental aspect of professionalizing 
the Nigerian military, and he noted his administration's 
dedication to professionalization.  Obasanjo said his 
government has a "zero tolerance" policy towards human rights 
abuses.  Any member of the "military or security services" 
implicated in human rights abuses would be "held accountable 
by proper legal authorities."  Obasanjo went on to say that 
the military had a duty to respect human rights and to 
protect them actively, and he also charged senior officers to 
ensure that their subordinates did so.  Obasanjo's themes 
were briefly echoed by the Commandant of the National War 
College, Read Admiral Adedeji, during his remarks. 
 
2. (C) COMMENT: President Obasanjo reacted positively to our 
conversations with his advisors (reftels) regarding all of 
the steps necessary to re-energize the USG-GON security 
assistance relationship in the wake of Congressional 
sanctions imposed following the October 2001 Benue incident. 
His comments to the National War College graduates were clear 
and forceful, and were well received by his audience large 
audience.  Among them were the Minister of Defense, senior 
military officers, GON officials, diplomats and military 
families.  The graduation event also attracted significant 
media attention.  We will monitor print and broadcast media 
over the next week to gauge public reaction to the speech. 
 
3. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: The Obasanjo government met the 
tests set forth in Ref A and did so in almost record time. 
The GON also went to extraordinary lengths to insure our 
Mission's presence at the speech.  Commandant Adedeji told 
POLOFF August 4 that he had instructions from Minister of 
Defense Kwankwaso to personally deliver the invitation to the 
Ambassador and the Minister phoned the Embassy this morning 
to insure the Mission would be represented.  Clearly, the GON 
wanted to make certain we, as well as Nigerians, heard 
Obasanjo's remarks.  Obasanjo, and those who promoted this 
course of action to him, will now expect the USG to move as 
quickly they did.  We urge the Department to take every 
available step to lift the sanctions against Nigeria and to 
restore what had previously been a robust security assistance 
relationship.  END COMMENT. 
CAMPBELL