Military

DATE=9/30/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NIGERIA / TALKS (L-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-319352

BYLINE=CARRIE GIARDINO

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES 2-319345, CHANGES THROUGHOUT ///

HEADLINE: Rebel Leader Meets with Nigerian Government to Stop Violence in Niger Delta

INTRO: The leader of a militia group from the southern oil-rich region of Nigeria says talks between government officials and rebels continued in Abuja late into the evening on Thursday. The rebel group, which is demanding autonomy as well as revenues from oil sales, agreed to a temporary ceasefire Wednesday to allow the talks to take place. Carrie Giardino reports from the VOA West Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: The Abuja meeting is a last-minute attempt to avert an attack by the rebel leader Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and his militia, known as the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force. The rebel leader has threatened to launch an attack against foreign oil workers and facilities on October first.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producing nation. Although the vast majority of the country's oil comes from the Niger Delta region, it is one of the poorest areas of the country. Mr. Dokubo-Asari says he wants money from oil revenues and greater autonomy for the people in the impoverished region.

/// DOKUBO-ASARI ACT ///

We want to control our resources and to discuss these issues, a sovereign nation conference should be convened to discuss and address these issues for once and for all."

/// END ACT ///

The Nigerian government has been cracking down on militia members who have been tapping into oil pipelines to siphon crude to sell on the black market in order to purchase weapons and ammunition.

Both the government and the militia have agreed to a temporary ceasefire in order to conduct the talks. Mr. Dokubo-Asari denies reports that the ceasefire has been violated.

/// 2nd DOKUBO-ASARI ACT ///

Since yesterday (Wednesday) there have not been any incidents. The president has ordered the Nigerian military to stop their wars and we too have kept our word that there is no strike."

/// END ACT ///

Last year an uprising by members of the local Ijaw tribe caused the oil companies to temporarily suspend operations. Fears of a similar uprising this year have helped spur the rise in worldwide oil prices, which reached just over 50 dollars a barrel earlier this week. (SIGNED)

NEB/CG/KL