Cablegate: Nigeria: Iom Candidate Demarche Delivered

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PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #0111 0171306
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171306Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1873
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0166
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8586
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0138
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS ABUJA 000111

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

ADDIS FOR USAU
DEPT FOR PRM, AF, AF/W, INR/AA
ENERGY FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL SMIG NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: IOM CANDIDATE DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 4089

1. PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Charles Onianwa,
Director of the Northern and Central American Division at
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Onianwa was
unaware of any confusion over the two candidates for Director
General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration
(IOM), but said he would pass the information on to the
Foreign Minister prior to the AU Summit in Addis Ababa
beginning on January 26. Mr. Onianwa said the Foreign
Minister is expected to attend the AU Summit and would likely
be willing to meet with Ambassador Swing.

2. PolOff also delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Charles A.
Ononye, Deputy Director of the International Organizations
Division at Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr.
Ononye acknowledged some confusion over the two U.S.
candidates for the IOM DG position and appreciated the
clarification. Mr. Ononye said he will pass the information
on to his superiors and the Foreign Minister's office, but
suggested a formal letter from the U.S. government be sent to
the Foreign Minister explaining the USG position prior to the
election. Mr. Ononye also said that the Foreign Minister
would likely be willing to meet with Ambassador Swing at the
AU Summit as long as formal meeting requests were sent
through proper channels. Although Mr. Ononye would not go as
far as promising support for Ambassador Swing, he
acknowledged Ambassador Swing (who was, inter alia, once US
Ambassador to Nigeria) as a good candidate for the DG
position and said that he has a very good reputation in
Africa's diplomatic circle. (NOTE: Mr. Ononye said he served
in South Africa at the same time as Ambassador Swing and has
high regard for him. END NOTE.)

3. Post will follow up as the June election nears.
PIASCIK

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