Nigeria: G-8 - Why Obasanjo is Not Invited
May 4, 2006, 16 hours, 49 minutes and 1 second ago.
By Andnetwork .com
Fresh facts emerged yesterday on why President Olusegun Obasanjo has not been invited for this year’s meeting of eight industrialized nations (G8) holding between July 15 and 17 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Diplomatic sources in Moscow and Washington yesterday confirmed to THISDAY that Obasanjo’s much touted third term ambition was responsible for the decision of the world leaders to ostracise him.
Nigeria was said to have actually sent a diplomatic note to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in March asking details of preparations. The letter which was passed through the embassy in Lagos, according to sources, was immediately translated to Russian and dispatched to Putin.
“Up till now, no response has come from Russia” said an official.
The decision to shut the door against Nigeria, according to diplomatic sources in Washing-ton, was taken by all the members of the G8 “and not Russia alone.”
The source added that President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair were particularly "in the picture so it was not just Russia’s sole decision”.
Recently, Putin and the United States President, George W. Bush were said to have spoken at length on the phone on several international issues chief among which was the next G8 meeting. Though details of their conversation were not disclosed, informed sources told THISDAY that consultations and dialogues usually take place between host country and other G-8 members over the agenda of the meeting and world leaders to extend invitations to.
Asked if the reason for the rebuff of Obasanjo from the elite gathering was the third term, “yes, but like I said the decision was not taken by Russia alone” said a top Russian Foreign Ministry official who spoke with THISDAY last night from Moscow.
Should the rebuff stays, Obasanjo whose main credential is his international clout may have to review his position on the third term issue.
Members of the G-8 are US, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Canada and Russia.
Sources also confirmed that the South African president, Thabo Mbeki and few other African leaders including the current African Union Chairman, Denis Sassou Nguesso and the Commission head, Alpha Oumar Konare have received their invitations.
When contacted last night for comments, the Russian embassy’s spokesman, Igor Popov, said he could not confirm if indeed Obasanjo will not be allowed to attend this year’s summit. He, however, disclosed that the embassy in Lagos was yet to be notified of the President’s invitation.
Asked how such invitations are usually channeled, Popov said it is sent by “special official messaging system, usually through the embassy and we will send it to the president. So far, no such letter of invitation has been sent."
Russia is the current president of the G8 and Putin according to diplomatic sources may not make Africa a priority as was the case in the last summit held in Gleneagles last year chaired by the UK.
It is the duty of the presiding country to draw up the agenda for the summit. As such, the British Prime minister, Tony Blair used the opportunity last year to bring to the attention of the world leaders the problems plaguing the continent and the need for the rich nations to help the poor ones. Achieving that analysts said was something close to Blair’s heart.
But this year’s summit which is expected to build on the gains of Gleneagles may not place Africa’s problems on the table.
Russian president was recently quoted as saying “Russia as the presiding country regards it as its duty to give a fresh impetus to efforts to find solutions to key international problems in energy, education and healthcare”.
Russia is therefore not willing to single out Africa for any preferential treatment.
Nigeria’s likely exclusion from the next G8 meeting is seen in diplomatic circles as the first real blow from the international community on the present administration as the country has since 2002 featured prominently at G8 meetings in Canada, France, US and UK.
South Africa’s Mbeki is said to be seen by the G8 leaders as the true African leader in view of his own decision not to use any means available to him to elongate his term in office.
AI
