Posted by Sunnewsonline.com on
President Olusegun Obasanjo may have quietly assured his American hosts of plans to retire to Ota next year, a big blow to campaigners of a third term for his administration.
• Beats chest on Taylor
President Olusegun Obasanjo may have quietly assured his American hosts of plans to retire to Ota next year, a big blow to campaigners of a third term for his administration. Although the matter did not come up at a press briefing at the White House, sources said President Bush raised the issue in private discussions and " was reassured by President Obasanjo's candour in rejecting an extention of his current term even if approved by Nigerian lawmakers".
President Obasanjo reportedly told the Americans that as a democracy, Nigerians are free to comment on the third term issue but that does not mean he harbours such plans. The United States has been a vocal critic of plans to amend the constitution with its intelligence agencies, warning of a possible collapse of the country.
However, the arrest of former Liberian warlord, Charles Taylor, pleased Bush who commended Obasanjo at a reception at the White House, calling the development "justice that will help Liberia". Obasanjo used the opportunity to put up a forceful defence of his administration's alleged sloppy security on Taylor and asked critical American media, lawmakers and top administration officials to tender deserved apologies to him, stating, 'Taylor is neither my friend nor that of Nigerians".
The capture of Taylor quietened a firestorm of protest from senior administration officials and lawmakers who had asked President Bush to cancel the meeting if Nigeria could not produce the former Liberian warlord. "I viewed Taylor's Monday night disappearance with utter dismay but felt vindicated now that he'd been captured," President Obasanjo stated.
A senior U.S. State Department official said although the former warlord is in custody, "the terms of Taylor's escape are not fully clear." The official said National Security Adviser, Steve Hadley, called his counterpart in Nigeria and told him, "you guys were in charge of him and the terms of his stay, and bear responsibility for the fact that he tried to leave. How the Nigerians handle the incident will affect the country's relationship with the United States," the official said, quoting Hadley.
The United States wants an assurance that Taylor stands trial on the Sierra Leone charges. White House spokesman, Scott McClellan, congratulated Nigerian officials for taking Taylor into custody "so soon" after he was reported missing from his home Tuesday. He said the administration will monitor closely developments as it concerns the former warlord.
President Bush told reporters both leaders discussed the Niger Delta issue and security in the continent, especially the Darfur region. President Bush said he would discuss with officials of NATO on modalities for assisting the African Union on peace missions on the continent.