US embassy cable - 05LAGOS578

UNCLAS LAGOS 000578 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT, KNNP, MNUC, MX, PARM, PGOV, PHSA, PREL 
SUBJECT: SEEKING SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. NONPROLIFERATION 
AMENDMENTS TO THE SUA CONVENTION, OPEN-ENDED NIGERIAN 
RESPONSE 
 
REFTEL: STATE 064395 
 
1. (SBU) On April 12 AmEmbassy Abuja delivered text of 
reftel non-paper to the Nigerian Ministry of 
Transportation (MOT).  AmConsul Lagos delivered the 
same non-paper to National Maritime Authority (NMA) 
Director General (DG), Engineer Festus U.C. Ugwu, and 
NMA Secretary and Legal Advisor, M.E. Egbadon. 
Egbadon, who will attend the April 18 to 22 IMO Legal 
Committee meeting with MOT representatives, stated 
Nigeria's general agreement with the France/UK/U.S. 
proposed "savings clause." However, Egbadon added that 
Nigeria does not have a final position on the boarding 
provisions of Article 8 bis. 
 
2. (SBU) Specifically, Egbadon said Nigerian IMO Legal 
Committee delegates have concerns the U.S. will "abuse 
the boarding provisions."  He said he will meet his MOT 
colleagues on April 15 in Abuja to finalize the 
Nigerian position, taking into account this U.S. non- 
paper.  Post will contact Egbadon on April 16 to 
ascertain Nigeria's final position. 
 
3. (U) AmEmbassy Abuja has cleared this cable. 
 
BROWNE