Cable: US meeting with oil companies in Nigeria "China has no morals"

[rainbow4321]

http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2010/02/10LAGOS75.html


Assistant Secretary (A/S) Carson met with members of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) on February 7. The A/S stressed the fact that Nigeria is the most important country in Africa for the United States. The IOC members noted that the A/S spoke mainly of issues in Northern Nigeria and did not dwell on Southern issues. The Petroleum Industry Bill is discouraging future investment mostly in deep-water fields where most of the remaining oil in Nigeria lies. If Nigeria raised the price of gas to two-thirds of the world price, the IOCs would be at each others throats trying to cut the price by a penny or two. Nigeria has the possibility of becoming the next Pakistan within 25 years. A/S Carson allayed the IOCs concerns of the United States relationship with China.



(snip)


CHINESE - AMERICAN RELATIONS IN AFRICA
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¶16. (C) What is the status of Americas influence in Africa and how does it compare to China, Fawthrop queried? The influence of the United States has increased in Africa, the A/S countered. The United States reputation is stable and its popularity is the highest in Africa compared to anywhere else in the world. Obama has helped to increase that influence. We must manage the expectations of the Obama administration offered the A/S. The United States does not consider China a military, security or intelligence threat. China is a very aggressive and pernicious economic competitor with no morals. China is not in Africa for altruistic reasons. China is in Africa for China primarily. A secondary reason for China's presence is to secure votes in the United Nations from African countries. A third reason is to prove that Taiwan is not an issue. There are trip wires for the United States when it comes to China. Is China developing a blue water navy? Have they signed military base agreements? Are they training armies? Have they developed intelligence operations? Once these areas start developing then the United States will start worrying. The United States will continue to push democracy and capitalism while Chinese authoritarian capitalism is politically challenging. The Chinese are dealing with the Mugabes and Bashiras of the world, which is a contrarian political model, A/S Carson stated.



A/S Carson effectively provided the IOCs with a rationale for the United States interest in Nigeria and its commitment to the country. This commitment seems more substantial than the IOCs given the prospect of the PIB and the current state of play in Nigeria. Providing the IOCs with statements of support through continuing if not increasing the USG presence in Nigeria will be important in determining the increasing, decreasing or non-existent role of the IOCs in the future in Nigeria. As the A/S stated, if we can have a substantial presence in Pakistan, why not Nigeria?

[thunder rising]

1. Since we are so focused on looking ahead (even from yesterday) I really don't GAS what the memos say

[rainbow4321]

2. You GAS enough to reply...

ANYway, the hypocrisy of the US (given what we've learned from numerous cables so far) lecturing OIL execs about morals..how did they all keep a straight face...