Obasanjo talks democracy with US and UN leaders

Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's president-elect, said he had "a warm
reception" at the White House yesterday (Tuesday) when he explained the move to democracy in his country, according to news reports.

"We discussed the transition in Nigeria. President Clinton reaffirmed the interest of the US in democracy in Africa," Obasanjo told reporters after his half-hour meeting.

The meeting "highlighted the broad and increasing cooperation between our two governments," according to a White House statement quoted by Reuters.

The United States is determined to help Nigeria take its place as a democratic and economic leader, the statement added.

The talks also covered Nigeria's regional peacekeeping work and its economic reforms. According to Reuters, African analysts said they expected Obasanjo to seek more US assistance for ECOMOG, the Nigerian-led West African peacekeeping force now deployed in Sierra Leone. Obasanjo has promised he will keep Nigerian troops there for "as long as they're necessary," according to news reports.

Obasanjo invited Clinton to his inauguration ceremony on 29 May, but the State department declined to comment on who would make the trip.

Obasanjo also had a meeting yesterday in New York with UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan. According to a UN statement, they reviewed a series of problems and conflicts on the African continent.

Obasanjo talked about "steps he wished to take to make Nigeria more open to investment" and said he "was seeking support for this initiative in a series of visits to various countries". He also appealed for a reduction of Nigeria's foreign debt to help advance democracy, various media reported.