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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
March 4, 1999

Special Envoy Jesse Jackson To Travel To Nigeria

The presidential special envoy for Democracy and Human Rights in Farica, Reverend Jesse Jackson, will travel to Nigeria March 6-12. Special Envoy Jackson will be the first high-level U.S. Government official to visit Nigeria since the Nigerian presidential election on February 27. This will also be the first high-level visit since the announcement of the counter-narcotics vital national interest certification of Nigeria.

Reverend Jackson plans to meet with Nigerian Head of State Abubakar in Abuja, as well as President-elect Obasanjo and opposition leader Olu Falaein Lagos. He also plans to meet with local government and civil society representatives in the volatile Niger delta region. He will stress the importance of reconciliation, national unity, and completion of the transition to democratic civilian rule.

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