Nigeria`s interests worry U.S.

[IDemo]

By Jason Motlagh Mar 27, 2006, 21:43 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- President Bush is slated to meet with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Washington Wednesday to discuss regional and energy security in West Africa, amid attacks on oil supply lines that U.S. officials consider strategic to U.S. 'national interest.'

Militants claiming to fight on behalf of a disenfranchised Niger Delta ethic minority released three foreign oil worker hostages Monday, but vowed to continue their three-month sabotage campaign that has cut Nigeria`s daily oil exports of 2.5 million barrels by a quarter and contributed to international oil prices jumping to over $60 per barrel.

Although Nigeria`s pipelines have long been vulnerable, the stakes have been raised as the United States increasingly depends on West African oil.

A surging energy demand in Asia and volatile climates in the Mideast and Latin America first prompted the Bush administration to call West African oil a 'strategic national interest' in 2002 -- a label that freights the use of force to secure and defend such interests if necessary.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1150477.php/Nigeria%60s_interests_worry_U.S.

[cliss]

1. I'm not sure if Bush

will have much success with Mr. Obasanjo. The Nigerians seem determined to keep their oil interests for themselves.

I hope Mr. Obasanjo gets on the phone and talks with Hugo Chavez before he goes to Washington. Mr. Chavez can give him a few tips....