

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08LONDON2499, WEST AFRICA: UK PRIORITIES, COUNTER-NARCOTICS AND ELECTIONS REF: A. LONDON 2487 B. FREETOWN 336 C. LONDON 1916
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08LONDON2499.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08LONDON2499 | 2008-10-02 12:36 | 2011-02-04 21:00 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy London |
VZCZCXRO7009
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHLO #2499/01 2761236
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 021236Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9962
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 3294
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 LONDON 002499
SIPDIS NOFORN
WHITE HOUSE FOR ONDCP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PREL SNAR PINR KDEM PTER KCRM XY UK
SUBJECT: WEST AFRICA: UK PRIORITIES, COUNTER-NARCOTICS AND ELECTIONS REF: A. LONDON 2487 B. FREETOWN 336 C. LONDON 1916
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1.(C) Summary. HMG sees narcotics trade as the biggest threat to regional stability in West Africa, FCO West Africa Team Leader Jonathan Drew told us on October 1. Drew said that 50 percent of the cocaine that enters the UK transits West Africa and both the UK and EU see this trade as a domestic threat (for more information on HMG views on drug traffic through West Africa see ref A). Drew also highlighted HMG concern that profits from the drug trade could fuel regional organized crime and possibly terrorist activities in the Sahel. If a youth gang culture develops around drug trade, as it did in the Caribbean, it may have the potential to cause cross-border conflicts and erode development gains. Discussing the situation in individual countries, Drew said elections would be HMG's primary focus over the next six months. Country-by-country comments follow. End summary.
Cote d'Ivoire -------------
2.(C/NF) The FCO sees Cote d'Ivoire's elections as key for regional stability because it is the last post-confict country in the region to hold elections. Drew said successful elections and a smooth transition period would be a significant marker in Cote d'Ivoire's democratic transition, and he suggested the key to supporting that effort is diplomatic and regional pressure to ensure the electoral process remains free of corruption and fraud. The UN SRSG and President of Burkina Faso are doing good work, but the French are best placed to lead coordination efforts on diplomatic pressure. They, however, may need "encouragement" from the USG and HMG to "fight their fatigue on Cote d'Ivoire." It is also important that the key political parties state publicly and soon that they support the electoral process and will respect the UN Certification Cell's judgment of the electoral process. The international community should be working to make sure that the actual process itself is clearly defined. On the UN Certification Cell, Drew noted that there is no real precedent for the UN to certify fairness of an election without actually conducting the elections and that the international community should be closely involved in supporting the UN's efforts. Drew also said more thinking needs to be done about what will happen to those candidates who are defeated and how to encourage them to accept the results.
Ghana -----
3.(C/NF) Ghana's elections are too close to call. In the run-up to the elections, if it appears that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is going to lose, Drew said he is concerned there may be violence. While NDC leader John Atta Mills is "generally calm," his followers may not be. If, however, it appears that the National Patriotic Party (NPP) is going to lose, Drew is more concerned about fraud. While the rigging at the party's convention was dealt with appropriately, it points to the fact that elements of the party are willing to consider it. Also, President Kufuor's family has significant business interests, which may play a dynamic in the elections. Drew said HMG is providing financial support for elections observers for the first round and will likely also do so for the second round, which is "certainly going to occur." HMG is also pushing the EU and Commonwealth for observers.
4.(C/NF) Drew also noted that if the Cote d'Ivoire elections are delayed to December 15, then the second round would be on December 29, just one day after the scheduled second round of the Ghanaian elections. Drew suggested early work with the AU, ECOWAS, EU, and UN on possible reactions to poorly held elections would be useful, as these multilateral organizations are generally slow to react, especially at that time of year.
Guinea ------
5.(C/NF) Drew characterized the situation in Guinea as "really depressing": the peace deal is dead and rescission of the Rio Tinto concession will significantly lower business investment prospects. It is also unlikely that the scheduled December 14 elections will take place. Drew said HMG is LONDON 00002499 002 OF 003 arguing within the EU to withhold the final tranche of the 10th EDF funding (over 100 million euros) until the elections take place. Drew said the FCO is looking to "get tougher with Guinea, possibly stopping all development funding." He noted that "at least the Government of Guinea appears to be taking counter-narcotics (CN) a little bit more seriously."
Sierra Leone ------------
6.(S/NF) In Sierra Leone, HMG's number one priority is CN, and Drew noted U.S. and UK "cooperation on the ground is good." On the July 13 cocaine bust in Sierra Leone (reftel B), Drew said the GoSL needs to burn the drugs and charge the individuals arrested as soon as possible. He noted that if the U.S. citizens involved are extradited to the U.S., it might be helpful to work closely with the GoSL on any deals that are made in order to ensure GoSL's future CN cooperation. Drew also noted that it would be of considerable concern if senior GoSL officials are involved in narco-trade.
Liberia -------
7.(C/NF) Supporting the domestic security services and pacing appropriately the draw down of the UN PKO are the UK's main interests in Liberia. The Willis Knuckles corruption scandal was "particularly disappointing," and HMG hopes that President Sirleaf is not corrupt, as "she is the only game in town."
Nigeria -------
8.(C/NF) FCO Nigeria Section Head Catherine Inglehearn and Desk Officer Fiona Grant told us September 30 that HMG is "fine" with its communication and cooperation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) right now, but the "jury is still out" on new EFCC Head Waziri. The UK's MEP Police told Waziri that HMG wants the EFCC to issue a statement on the state of corruption in Nigeria and a list of specific EFCC contacts to engage with on priority cases. Waziri promised to deliver on both accounts, "without being too unpatriotic in the statement," and HMG is waiting to see what she does. So far, Inglehearn said the communication has been open and productive. Inglehearn, however, noted that it is bizarre how frequently Waziri asks for additional information on major cases, details that she should already be familiar with if she is "really digging into her portfolio."
9.(C/NF) On the James Ibori case, Waziri told HMG officials that there are "some legal issues" with the case in Nigeria. The main one is that Ibori wants the case to be shifted to his home state of Delta (rather than Kaduma). Waziri told HMG last week that she met with the court of appeals judges, and she is "trying to speed things up and remove these legal impediments." The legal action in the UK against associates of Ibori, including his wife, also continues to move forward. Waziri said she spoke to the Attorney General, encouraging him to cooperate with the UK's legal request for evidence related to the case in the UK. (NOTE: According to Inglehearn, HMG has already received the necessary evidence for the UK prosecution from the EFCC, but the Nigerian Attorney General has complained that the appropriate legal route was not used and that the evidence should be returned to the Government of Nigeria. HMG anticipates that this could cause some legal problems in the UK case and hopes to get the evidence through the appropriate channels, i.e. the Attorney General's office. END NOTE.) The Attorney General has said the Nigerian case against Ibori has primacy, and the UK is not disputing that. In the UK, the case is more focused on Ibori's associates, and HMG officials think bringing the case to trial will send an important anti-corruption message to Nigerian government officials. HMG also arrested Ibori's UK-based lawyer last week on charges of corruption. The next steps for the UK on corruption in Nigeria are to invite the Attorney General to the UK to discuss the Ibori case, which should happen before Christmas. HMG also continues to lobby the Nigeria Attorney General to help establish a legal framework that will allow for the return of Nigerians in UK prisons (reftel C).
Mauritania ----------
10.(C/NF) Acting Mauritania Desk Officer Robert Brooks told us September 30 that HMG was "very pleased" with the AU's September 22 statement on Mauritania. Brooks said HMG is LONDON 00002499 003 OF 003 "waiting for the EU gameplan on Mauritania" and thought Mauritania would be addressed in the October 13 GAERC conclusions. Brooks said HMG does not think it has much leverage to affect the situation "through bilateral means" so it is looking for the EU to take the lead. Brooks characterized the French as "bilaterally in a wait-and-see mode," which was affecting the pace at which the rest of the EU formulated policy on Mauritania. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX
TUTTLE