Cablegate: Nigeria: Demarche Regarding Secretary General of The

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUJA #0300 0460914
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150914Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2090
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0500

UNCLAS ABUJA 000300

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND EAGR ETRD NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEMARCHE REGARDING SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE
INTERNATIONAL RUBBER STUDY GROUP

REF: STATE 10729

1. (SBU) Embassy delivered reftel demarche points to Ministry of
Commerce and Industry Director of Commodities Ibrahim Naibbi.
Naibbi had not been aware of U.S. concerns because his subordinate
who attended IRSG meetings until the end of 2007 had recently
retired from the Ministry. He however, said he will present U.S.
views to the Minister for further discussions.

2. (SBU) Naibbi said because the Secretary General is not an African
Nigeria was likely to support the U.S on the issue. If the
Secretary General were an African, the spirit of African solidarity

SIPDIS
might come to play, he noted.

3. (U) Naibbi had not received approval to attend the February IRSG,
but will attend the March 4 - 6 meeting.

SANDERS

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