US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2405

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002405 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2006 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, XF, PROV, OIC 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA -- RESPONSE TO OIC DEMARCHE 
 
 
REF: STATE 159557 
 
 
Classified by CDA Andrews; Reasons  1.5(b) and (d). 
 
 
1.  (C) CDA 19 September delivered reftel demarche to MFA 
Permanent Secretary Ambassador T.D. Hart.  Hart said that 
Nigeria was not a member of the OIC but attended meetings as 
an observer with a ceremonial rather than substantive 
delegation.  The delegation head (usually a senior Islamic 
figure, such as the Sultan of Sokoto) could be given an 
instruction to make an appropriate statement, Hart offered. 
(COMMENT:  The Sultan has already spoken out against the 
terrorist attacks at least twice.  END COMMENT.) 
 
 
2.  (C) Before CDA even could raise the point, Hart noted 
that intelligence-sharing would be critical to fighting 
terrorism in the months and years ahead.  Hart said he was 
disturbed that one of the hijackers might have visited 
Nigeria.  (COMMENT:  It is very well known in elite circles 
here that the passport of one of the suspected hijackers 
indicates he spent six weeks in Nigeria.  Senior Nigerians 
know that their country is an unusual destination for the 
casual tourist and are concerned that, if the hijacker really 
came here, it was on business.  END COMMENT.) 
 
 
3.  (C) Hart noted that Nigerian participation in the OIC was 
"controversial" because of the country's religious diversity. 
 He said that MFA staff were actively thinking about ways 
Nigeria could help in the fight against terror and invited 
the USG to provide input into that process. 
Andrews