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Washington Office on Africa
Update - November 18, 1995
Republican Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Chairman of the Senate African Affairs Subcommittee, yesterday introduced a bill which, if passed, would impose additional but still limited sanctions on the Nigerian government. The bill is co- sponsored by Senators Leahy (D-VT), Feingold (D-WI), Jeffords (R-VT), Simon (D-IL) and Pell (D- RI). A new bill on the same issue is also expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ) and others.
Kassebaum's bill adds new sanctions, including a ban on all new U.S. investment in Nigeria, including the energy sector; and a freeze on the personal assets of top officials of the Nigerian regime. The bill stops short of the comprehensive embargo on Nigerian oil which many groups are calling for. But it does call for the U.S. to build international support for a multilateral arms embargo, and for consideration of a unilateral arms embargo within three months after enactment.
Groups supporting democracy in Nigeria will be considering over the next weeks whether the Kassebaum bill is strong enough to deserve support as a first step, or whether there is the possibility for finding support in Congress for even stronger legislation.
The measures in the bill move significantly beyond the sanctions already imposed by the Clinton administration, and are sure to meet intense opposition from oil companies and others opposed to economic sanctions against the Nigerian military regime.
The press release and summary of the bill prepared by Senator Kassebaum's office are attached below:
Nancy Landon Kassebaum
United States Senator, Kansas
For Immediate Release
Kassebaum Seeks Sanctions against Nigeria
Washington, DC-November 17, 1995-In response to the executions of nine political activists last week in Nigeria and deteriorating economic and political conditions in the country, Senate African Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Nancy Landon Kassebaum, R- Kan., introduced legislation today imposing a series of sanctions against the Nigerian government.
"The situation in Nigeria has reached the point where we simply must respond in a forceful and clear manner," Kassebaum said. "General Abacha and the Nigerian military leadership must understand that the United States will not stand idle as they drag their country into chaos."
The legislation imposes several new, tough sanctions including a ban on all new U.S. investment in Nigeria, including the energy sector, and a freeze on the personal assets of top officials of the Nigerian regime. In addition, the measure urges the President to build international support for other actions, including a U.N. arms embargo, a multilateral oil embargo, and a U.N. Human Rights Commission condemnation.
The bill also codifies a number of sanctions already imposed by the administration, including a ban on foreign aid, military sales, and export financing; a termination of air flights between Nigeria and the United States; an end to U.S. support for Nigeria the World Bank, IMF and other international financial institutions; and a visa ban on any Nigerian who formulates, implements or benefits from policies which hinder Nigeria's transition to democracy.
"We must send an unambiguous and tough signal to General Abacha," Kassebaum said. "If you move toward respecting human rights and instituting a new, civilian regime, the sanctions will be lifted and we will welcome Nigeria back as a partner and friend in the international community. If you continue to move in the wrong direction, the isolation will grow and the economic price will be high."
Contact: Mike Horak - Press Secretary, Joel Bacon - Deputy Press Secretary. (202) 224-4774.
Summary of Kassebaum Nigeria Sanctions Bill
November 17, 1995
Policy
The United States, working in concert with the international community, should maintain a policy toward the Government of Nigeria that is designed to protect internationally recognized human rights, expedite the transition to democratic, civilian government, and promote equitable economic development.
Codifies Current Sanctions
* No foreign assistance to the government
* Opposition to loans for Nigeria at the international financial
institutions
* No air flights between the United States and Nigeria
* Visa ban on the Nigerian leadership and their families
* No Eximbank, OPIC or IDA financing or activities for Nigeria
Imposes New Unilateral Sanctions
* Prohibition on new U.S. investment in Nigeria
* Assets freeze for Nigerian leadership
* Sense of Congress that Nigeria should be suspended from
international sports
Encourages Multilateral Sanctions. The President should-
* Pursue a U.N. arms embargo against Nigeria
* Seek a multilateral oil embargo
* Pursue a resolution condemning Nigeria at the U.N. Human
Rights Commission
Future Actions
Three months after enactment, the President must report on progress toward democracy and respect for human rights. If substantial progress has not been made, he must report on steps toward a multilateral oil embargo as well as the possibility of future actions, including unilateral oil embargo, and a ban on the export of refined petroleum products to Nigeria.
*******************************************************
Message-Id: 199511181640.IAA00694@igc3.igc.apc.org From: "Washington Office on
Africa" woa@igc.apc.org Date: Sat, 18 Nov 1995 11:38:48 +0000 Subject: Nigeria:
US Senate Bill Introduced
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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