US embassy cable - 02ABUJA1865

UNCLAS ABUJA 001865 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR S/S AND G/TIP -- AMB. NANCY ELY-RAPHEL 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM, KWMN, OTRA, NI 
SUBJECT: MFA LETTER TO THE SECRETARY ON TIP CONFERENCE 
 
 
REF: ABUJA 1465 
 
 
Embassy on June 20 received a letter from Foreign Minister 
Lamido to Secretary Powell, dated June 6, 2002, inviting the 
Secretary to participate in the August 1-3, 2002 Trafficking 
 
SIPDIS 
in Persons conference to be hosted by President Obasanjo in 
Abuja.  This TIP conference was reported in reftel.  The 
original and attached leaflet will be pouched to G/TIP, Attn: 
Ambassador Nancy Ely-Raphel.  The text of the letter follows. 
 
 
Begin Text 
 
 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Nigeria 
 
 
June 6, 2002 
 
 
General Colin Powell 
Secretary of State 
 
SIPDIS 
State Department 
U.S.A. 
 
 
Invitation to Attend an International Summit on Human 
Trafficking, Child Abuse, Labour and Slavery holding from 
01-03 August 2002, Abuja, Nigeria 
 
 
I wish to recall the various global efforts made towards the 
eradication of human trafficking, culminating in the adoption 
of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish 
Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.  The 
increasing incidence of human trafficking, child labour, 
child abuse, slavery and, generally, organized crimes, 
require collaborative network involving governments at the 
national and international levels, international 
organisations, non-governmental organisations and the civil 
society.  This has far reaching negative repercussions on the 
economic, political, socio-cultural and moral well being of 
our nations, particularly, the developing countries. 
 
 
2. In order to sensitise the international community on the 
evils of this inhuman trade, the Government of the Federal 
Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of President 
Olusegun Obasanjo, is organising a three-day international 
Summit on the subject, to dispassionately look into the 
phenomenon of human trafficking, child labour, abuse and 
slavery.  This would afford the Participants to critically 
evaluate the problems associated with the phenomenon with a 
view to engendering adequate global strategies to eliminate 
the trade.  This is reflected in the theme of the Summit: 
"Combating Human Trafficking, Child Labour and Slavery 
through International Cooperation and Legislation."  The 
Summit is scheduled to take place from 01-03 August 2002, at 
the International Conference Center, Abuja, Nigeria. 
 
 
3. The Summit has, among others, the following objectives: 
 
 
(i) Identify and examine the magnitude, nature, patterns and 
manifestations of human trafficking, child labour, child 
abuse and slavery; 
 
 
(ii) Examine the adverse implications of human trafficking 
and child abuse on sustainable human development; 
 
 
(iii) Exchange ideas and experience with Participants from 
other countries and International Organisations, with a view 
to developing national and regional frameworks for 
international cooperation in combating the crime; 
 
 
(iv) Develop strategies for the effective and efficient 
prevention, control and punishment of the offenders. 
 
 
4. On behalf of the President and People of the Federal 
Republic of Nigeria, I have the honour to invite you to 
attend and participate at the Summit.  Four representatives, 
made up of the Head of State/Government, a Minister, and two 
Experts are expected to attend the Summit from your country. 
The Nigerian Government would extend hospitality to the Head 
of State/Government and the Minister only. 
 
 
5. The attached leaflet will provide an insight and relevant 
background information on the Summit. 
 
 
6. Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem. 
 
 
 
 
(signed) 
Sule Lamido 
Minister of Foreign Affairs 
and Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee 
 
 
End Text. 
ANDREWS