US embassy cable - 02ABUJA1171

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ANTI-U.S. DEMONSTRATION IN ABUJA

Identifier: 02ABUJA1171
Wikileaks: View 02ABUJA1171 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Abuja
Created: 2002-04-15 11:45:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags: ASEC ALOW
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ABUJA 001171 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
DEPT FOR DS/OP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/PSP/FPD, 
AF/W, AF/EX 
LAGOS FOR RSO 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, ALOW 
SUBJECT: ANTI-U.S. DEMONSTRATION IN ABUJA 
 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: On 12 April 2002, a 
peaceful anti-American demonstration took 
place in Abuja following Friday afternoon 
Jumaat prayers. A group of approximately 
1,000 - 2,000 protestors marched throughout 
central Abuja waiving placards and banners 
that denounced U.S. support for Israel. The 
demonstration culminated at the Federal 
Secretariat, located approximately 4km from 
 
SIPDIS 
the Embassy, with the burning of a U.S. 
flag. There were no injuries or property 
damage reported. End Summary 
 
 
2.  (SBUU) Details: At approximately 1515 
hours on Friday, April 12, 2002, a group of 
approximately 1,000 - 2000 worshipers was 
observed exiting the Abuja Central Mosque 
waiving placards and banners that denounced 
U.S. support for Israel. One of the largest 
banners read "Death to Bush". Flyers were 
also distributed in Hausa that denounced 
U.S. support for Israel and called for the 
Muslim community to condemn this support. 
 
 
3.  (SBU) Local police and Post's SD team 
reported that the demonstrators marched from 
the Abuja Central Mosque past the Sheraton 
hotel and culminated their procession at a 
soccer field behind the Federal Secretariat 
where a brief speech was made by one of the 
organizers and an American flag burned. The 
demonstration ended at approximately 1645 
hours. 
 
 
4.  (SBU) Comment: Immediately after initial 
notification of the demonstration, the DCM 
convened Post's Emergency Action Committee 
(EAC). Since the demonstration was observed 
moving in the general direction of the 
Embassy and there were reports of a vanguard 
headed toward our facilities, Section 1000 
of Post's EAP was invoked. We do not believe 
any demonstrator came within less than 3km 
of the Embassy. The demonstration eventually 
concluded about 4km away. There were no 
injuries or property damage reported. An 
advisory warden message was also sent to 
American citizens. 
 
 
Andrews 

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