US embassy cable - 02ABUJA1919

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001919 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2017 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, EFIN, PINR, NI, UK, US 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S OBASANJO SEEKING WARMER RELATIONS WITH 
U.S. 
 
 
REF: ABUJA 1913 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY CDA ANDREWS.  REASON:  1.5(B) 
 
 
1.  (C) Summary: President Obasanjo senses a loss of warmth 
in Nigeria's relationship with the U.S. and feels the U.S. 
and U.K. are frustrating his efforts by setting too tough 
terms for support, according to his VP. Obasanjo reportedly 
blames reports from Embassy Abuja and the British High 
Commission.  End Summary. 
 
 
2.  (C) Vice President Atiku Abubakar told CDA privately 
evening of March 24 that, shortly before departing for the 
U.S., President Obasanjo had expressed disappointment and 
sadness at what he felt was waning warmth in the bilateral 
relationship. Obasanjo had expected more support for his debt 
relief entreaties - not just from the U.S., but also from the 
U.K.  Instead, Obasanjo found attitudes in Washington and 
London hardening, and, Atiku added, Obasanjo attributed this 
shift in attitude to reports being filed by Embassy Abuja and 
the British High Commission here.  Obasanjo felt he was going 
in the right direction, and that greater flexibility from the 
U.S. and U.K. would be in order. 
 
 
3.  (C) Atiku said that he had spoken only briefly with 
Obasanjo since the latter's return from the U.S. and Libya 
because he (Atiku) had taken a few days' break at Yankari 
National Park (his first-ever trip there).  However, the 
President felt his visit was satisfactory, notwithstanding 
President Bush's unavailability for a private one-on-one 
conversation.  Obasanjo appreciated the President's plans to 
visit Africa next year and looked forward to the trip.  The 
meeting with Secretary Powell had gone well, and Obasanjo 
attributed this at least in part to his decision to announce 
that Nigeria would resume relations with the IMF. 
 
 
4.  (C) CDA commented that, in light of 9/11, Nigeria should 
not expect the Bush Administration to give Nigeria the same 
attention that its predecessor had been able to offer.  The 
world had changed on 9/11, especially for the U.S., and our 
President had to focus intently on homeland security.  This 
new, overriding priority meant President Bush did not have as 
much time for other issues as he would like to have, but that 
fact should not be misunderstood as lack of warmth or 
concern.  On the contrary, the U.S. remained strongly engaged 
in Africa. 
 
 
5.  (C) Comment: We suspect that what irked President 
Obasanjo skin may have been a May 24 meeting at which 
Ambassador Isaac Aluko-Olukun of Nigeria's National Planning 
Commission briefed G-7 Heads of Mission on NePAD (reftel). 
Aluko-Olukun called for more G-7 carrots and fewer sticks; he 
particularly wanted support for building infrastructure. 
British Acting High Commissioner Bird raised serious problems 
of corruption and lack of transparency.  CDA followed up by 
asking Aluko-Olukun to describe what practical, effective 
steps were being taken to address these problems.  Obasanjo 
may have been annoyed, but he seems to have recognized that 
re-engagement with the IMF would be a useful step.  Today's 
$64,000 question asks whether this announcement is purely 
symbolic, portending a renewed "dialogue", or presages GON 
interest in genuine reform, the stresses of an election year 
notwithstanding. 
ANDREWS