NIGERIA'S THREAT TO CUT TIES WITH AMERICA, VERY SUICIDAL!
Unfortunately those marauders in the Nigerian senate have once again shot themselves on the feet and will surely this time, drag every Nigerian with them into the abyss of suffering irrelevance. Icheoku says, their unguarded utterance that Nigeria will sever diplomatic ties with the United States of America over the December 25, 2009 terrorist attack is very provocative! Instead of taking full responsibility for what happened and pledging to do whatever it takes to fix what is broken, which saw a Northern Nigerian Fulani terrorist Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab wearing a diaper-bomb unto an American airline, in a botched attempt to blow same up and kill hundreds of people, they are busy throwing gasoline into a burning fire? Does it mean that this people are so daft to understand the ramifications of the act of their countryman or are they foolishly trying to sweep what happened under the carpet, treating it as a none issue as with so many other thing in Nigeria? America which has observed recurring terrorist religious riots in Northern Nigeria, had their own security breached by a Northern Nigerian terrorist on Christmas day December 25 is taking every step necessary to prevent such happenstance in the future; and the offending country is busy huffing and puffing? If only President GW was still in power, may be some marines would have already been air-dropped into Abuja to kick some butts and tell Nigerians how not to produce and harbor a terrorist in their midst? What a bombshell from an unthinking mind and a cholera stricken mouth of Senator Ayogu Eze of Nigeria, supposedly speaking on behalf of the David Mark led Nigerian Senate? Nigerians, say it ain't so that in the present 21st century someone in Nigeria is literally interpreting the biblical tale of David and Goliath and expecting to come up tops in a duel with the only remaining super power in the world, the United States of America? Whoever thought out and spoke this possible diplomatic row is certainly under the influence of something very hallucinatory; which clouded his brain into an unthinking stupidity! America, which has its hand in virtually every pie in the world and with solid control of the levers of such financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF is being challenged by a country which cannot even feed its citizens? But like they say, Nigeria should beware of what they wish for as they might as well get it; and pray that the hawkish republicans do not force President Barack Obama to accept the thrown gauntlet? Why now for any thinking country, at a time when all nerves are frayed and America is still hurting with the experience of December 25, 2009 tragedy when a sharia Northern Nigerian Fulani terrorist nearly blew up their airplane with several hundreds of passengers and 11 crew, mainly Americans returning home for the holidays, and in their own Detroit? Instead of apologising and asking for forgiveness, these band of Nigerians are flexing their lizard-sinews, threatening diplomatic face-off with America for calling them out on an age-long known terrorism in Nigeria which was only exported to America by a sharia Northern Nigerian fanatic from Funtua, Katsina State? This is the height of senatorial-drunkenness, coming from a rudderless country, tethering on the precipice. It is rather very unfortunate to throw this type of challenge to Americans knowing fully well that they do not shy away from challenges or any face-offs; and at this particular time of heighten tension in the land with Americans asking their president to do something firm about this Christmas day attempted terrorism. Nigeria may eventually be the sacrificial lamb on this current alter of anti-terrorism effort in America, except something is done fast by whoever is in charge in Nigeria to numb the drawn-dagger of the Nigerian senate and douse the said provocative utterance immediately. Admitted that Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua is MIA sequestrated in an undisclosed location somewhere in the Arabian peninsula, someone of some authority should disavow the offensive statement as not the government's position, period! If it means sending Ojo Maduekwe and crew to Washington for damage control, so be it but this provocation must be laid to rest without further delay. Nigeria should also be warned that in any ensuing fight between her and America, that Britain, France, Italy, Russia and China will not side with them; and would rather stay neutral, than antagonize America. Nigeria, it is your responsibility to pick up the mop and clean your mess otherwise, let us watch and see where your thoughtless threat will lead everyone; but be assured that Nigeria stands to loose most, should any diplomatic row ensue.
Unfortunately those marauders in the Nigerian senate have once again shot themselves on the feet and will surely this time, drag every Nigerian with them into the abyss of suffering irrelevance. Icheoku says, their unguarded utterance that Nigeria will sever diplomatic ties with the United States of America over the December 25, 2009 terrorist attack is very provocative! Instead of taking full responsibility for what happened and pledging to do whatever it takes to fix what is broken, which saw a Northern Nigerian Fulani terrorist Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab wearing a diaper-bomb unto an American airline, in a botched attempt to blow same up and kill hundreds of people, they are busy throwing gasoline into a burning fire? Does it mean that this people are so daft to understand the ramifications of the act of their countryman or are they foolishly trying to sweep what happened under the carpet, treating it as a none issue as with so many other thing in Nigeria? America which has observed recurring terrorist religious riots in Northern Nigeria, had their own security breached by a Northern Nigerian terrorist on Christmas day December 25 is taking every step necessary to prevent such happenstance in the future; and the offending country is busy huffing and puffing? If only President GW was still in power, may be some marines would have already been air-dropped into Abuja to kick some butts and tell Nigerians how not to produce and harbor a terrorist in their midst? What a bombshell from an unthinking mind and a cholera stricken mouth of Senator Ayogu Eze of Nigeria, supposedly speaking on behalf of the David Mark led Nigerian Senate? Nigerians, say it ain't so that in the present 21st century someone in Nigeria is literally interpreting the biblical tale of David and Goliath and expecting to come up tops in a duel with the only remaining super power in the world, the United States of America? Whoever thought out and spoke this possible diplomatic row is certainly under the influence of something very hallucinatory; which clouded his brain into an unthinking stupidity! America, which has its hand in virtually every pie in the world and with solid control of the levers of such financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF is being challenged by a country which cannot even feed its citizens? But like they say, Nigeria should beware of what they wish for as they might as well get it; and pray that the hawkish republicans do not force President Barack Obama to accept the thrown gauntlet? Why now for any thinking country, at a time when all nerves are frayed and America is still hurting with the experience of December 25, 2009 tragedy when a sharia Northern Nigerian Fulani terrorist nearly blew up their airplane with several hundreds of passengers and 11 crew, mainly Americans returning home for the holidays, and in their own Detroit? Instead of apologising and asking for forgiveness, these band of Nigerians are flexing their lizard-sinews, threatening diplomatic face-off with America for calling them out on an age-long known terrorism in Nigeria which was only exported to America by a sharia Northern Nigerian fanatic from Funtua, Katsina State? This is the height of senatorial-drunkenness, coming from a rudderless country, tethering on the precipice. It is rather very unfortunate to throw this type of challenge to Americans knowing fully well that they do not shy away from challenges or any face-offs; and at this particular time of heighten tension in the land with Americans asking their president to do something firm about this Christmas day attempted terrorism. Nigeria may eventually be the sacrificial lamb on this current alter of anti-terrorism effort in America, except something is done fast by whoever is in charge in Nigeria to numb the drawn-dagger of the Nigerian senate and douse the said provocative utterance immediately. Admitted that Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua is MIA sequestrated in an undisclosed location somewhere in the Arabian peninsula, someone of some authority should disavow the offensive statement as not the government's position, period! If it means sending Ojo Maduekwe and crew to Washington for damage control, so be it but this provocation must be laid to rest without further delay. Nigeria should also be warned that in any ensuing fight between her and America, that Britain, France, Italy, Russia and China will not side with them; and would rather stay neutral, than antagonize America. Nigeria, it is your responsibility to pick up the mop and clean your mess otherwise, let us watch and see where your thoughtless threat will lead everyone; but be assured that Nigeria stands to loose most, should any diplomatic row ensue.
U.S. Threatens Senators With Visa Ban
ReplyDeleteBy Chinedu Offor (Washington DC), Paschal Njoku (Yola) and Rafiu Aja kaye (Lagos)
It has emerged that Nigerian lawmakers withdrew their threats against America for including the country on its terror watch list after Washington moved to revoke their visas.
U.S. State Department sources confirmed that all existing visas to the senators, senior government officials and their relatives were on the verge of being cancelled before Nigeria “opted out for a friendly option to resolve the impasse.”
Sources said U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, called senior Nigerian officials on the administration’s intentions after getting clearance from President Barack Obama.
“They obviously underestimated the resolve of the administration on the issue, but when it comes to protecting American lives, the president will take all measures necessary,” a White House aide stated. Sources said Washington also threatened to seek the cooperation of European Union officials to also revoke the travel documents of targeted lawmakers and government officials if Nigeria had carried out its threat of diplomatic retaliation against American citizens.
“Nigeria is one of 14 countries on the list and rather than take steps to improve security, its officials are unwisely threatening the U.S.,” a senior administration official stated.
Indications are that influential American senators are urging the President Obama administration to take a tougher position on Nigeria. Republican Senator John McCain and Democrat Ross Feingold are said to be pushing for an ultimatum to the Nigerian government to fix noticeable security lapses at its exit and entry points or lose U.S. assistance programmes. The sanctions would also cover a ban on identified officials and their relatives from visiting the U.S.
“The hope is that Nigeria should see this as an opportunity to tackle its problems, rather than viewing these measures as punitive,” a legislative aide told Saturday Independent.
U.S. May Shun Nigeria’s Oil – Diplomats
ReplyDeleteWritten by By Emmanuel Bello, Abuja
Saturday, 09 January 2010 19:20
Top ranking diplomats have described as pedestrian some politicians' reaction to Nigeria's blacklisting by the United States government. They also warned that the nation's oil economy could suffer if America decides to turn to Angola for its oil needs.
Angola is now competing favourably with Nigeria and there are fears that, in the event of any diplomatic dissension between Nigeria and Western powers, Angola may take the lead as the main supplier of oil from Africa. Already crisis in the Niger Delta has caused many oil majors to rethink their continued stay in Nigeria.
Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, some diplomats said politicians are making unintelligent comments based on emotion, instead of dispassionately analyzing the situation. They said the US action was based on information available to it.
According to Authur Mbanefo, the inclusion of Nigeria on the watch list is "too serious to be handled like a political issue by politicians."
Mbanefo, a one-time permanent representative at the United Nations, says the issue is a "government to government affair and not one for pedestrian commentaries. The United States must have acted on information collated over time. Our own government should have done same by making public information at their disposal. But our government has chosen to be silent and cryptic about all of this. We are not forthcoming as the US with information available to security units."
Mbanefo said the nation's top decision makers have been evasive on the issue. He said: "Up until now, we have not heard from our ambassador in the United States. Or has he spoken? It is embarrassing to us who are career diplomats listening to politicians making all those comments. They are ruling our lives and yet it is a serious issue that should be handled delicately."
He said 90% of the nation's oil investment is in the hands of Americans - a situation that calls for careful management of the crisis. He called on the Nigerian government to promptly look at internal issues like the Boko Haram crisis and make informed opinion. According to him, this is not a time for emotional outbursts, noting that President Barack Obama is known for not making "reckless utterances". He said Nigeria has been on the US watch list for the past 10 years.
On the issue of the ultimatum handed out by the Senate president, David Mark, he said: "So what will Nigeria do at the expiration of the ultimatum?"
ReplyDeleteSpeaking in the same vein, Ambassador Sulieman Dahiru said that Nigeria is not in a position to hand out threats to the United States. He said "in diplomacy you have to match words with actions. If you said you are giving ultimatums, can you enforce it? Can we engage the US tit for tat? In any case, what they did was in their own national interest. We too have the right to feel maltreated. The truth is that we are not a terrorist country. But all this talk about whether Farouk's action is due to home-grown terrorism or from outside the country is baseless. The US is not moved by those types of arguments and, to be honest, they are useless talks. It can't change a thing. If this was like before, then maybe our threats will mean a thing."
He said: "Nigeria is not what it used to be. There was a time when our comments would have made impact. Not anymore. Nobody takes us seriously. Even small African countries are getting it right and they don't respect us. There was a time when we could call their bluff. Late General Murtala did it."
On the nation’s oil fortunes, he said "the US can get its oil supplies from Angola, even if we say they need us. Besides, we live in a world of inter-dependence. And don’t forget that the USA is still the most powerful nation in the world. If they like, they could isolate us. Besides, our hope to be on the UN security council is in jeopardy."
The way forward
Dahiru said that Nigeria should engage the US in "quiet diplomacy". He said "we have to start showing them what our efforts have been in creating a better world, our peacekeeping effort and how much we are cooperating with them. We should be able to show them that we were never involved in terrorism. If we marshall our argument well enough, we may be delisted someday."
Shehu Malami calls for understanding
Seasoned diplomat Alhaji Shehu Malami said Nigerians need to understand why Obama blacklisted the country. In an interview with LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, he said: "It is devastating for Nigeria to be classified with other countries which have had disturbing records. But I can understand the initial reaction of the US government, especially taking into consideration the political pressure on President Obama who has been accused by some commentators of not doing enough to protect the country. However, one hopes that with the dust settling down, President Obama will reconsider Nigeria's position."
He continued: "So far he has shown his ability and willingness to do a critical assessment of situations as new facts emerge. Records are there. Nigeria as a country and Nigerians as a people have never been associated with terrorism. Young Farouk must have been lured by extremists. He needs our sympathies as also US deserves our sympathies over the incident. I've a feeling that Nigeria/United States relation will become stronger and more enduring after this most unfortunate incident."