Thursday, February 25, 2010

Video: US Secretary of State for African Affairs Warns Nigeria and Niger



Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in the office of President Barack Obama has warned the politicians in Nigeria and Niger to beware of undemocratic actions that can destabilize the two nations.


24 Feb 2010 22:57 Africa/Lagos

State Department's Top Diplomat for Africa Encourages Nigeria and Niger to Stay with the Democratic Processes that have Proven Successful in the Two Countries.

DATELINE/CITY: February 24, 2010 - Washington, DC

FORMAT: Soundbites


STORY SUMMARY: Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, briefed journalists on current issues in Africa.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Video, hard copy requests, contact information and more available at http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1532-state-departments-top-diplomat-for-a frica-encourages-nigeria-and-niger-to-stay-with-the-democratic-processes-that- have-proven-successful-in-the-two-countries


www.state.gov

CLIP CONTAINING 2 SOUNDBITES (TRT: 1:57)

SOUNDBITES:

Soundbite #1 Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs


Summary: Carson cautions Nigerians in responsible positions, not to use the situation surrounding the health of their President, for personal political gain.


Verbatim: We hope very, very much that the President has recuperated and is healthy and is able to resume his normal duties as President. But it is very important that those who are in responsible positions, put the health of the President of Nigeria first, that they think of the interests, of the stability, and the continued democracy of the country as a primary focal point of interest. This is not a time where personal political ambitions should in fact take precedence over the stability and continued democracy and adherence to the constitutional rule that governs Nigeria today.


TRT: 56 seconds


Soundbite #2 Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs


Summary: Carson sees restoring of democracy in Niger very possible and comments on recent actions taken by junta to force new elections.


Verbatim: If they did this to restore democracy and liberty to the country then they should move forward with doing so very quickly. Niger has had very successful political elections in the past. They have had multi-political parties. There are established parties. There are institutions that were working, institutions that were defending democracy against President Tandja. It should be very easy for that country to move back towards a democratic process. If it does, we will be in the forefront of restoring as quickly as possible, our support for that, for that country.


TRT: 48 seconds

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: U.S. Department of State


FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR HARD COPY, PLEASE E-MAIL: digitalcenter@multivu.com


Media Contact: Joan Storck, (202) 504-6411, storcklj@state.gov


/PRNewswire -- Feb. 24/


Video: http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1532-state-departments-top-diplomat-for-africa-encourages-nigeria-and-niger-to-stay-with-the-democratic-processes-that-have-proven-successful-in-the-two-countries
Source: U.S. Department of State

Web Site: http://www.state.gov/


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