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01/20/2006:

"Niger Delta: U.S. May Delay Troops Deployment"

Armed conflict in the Niger Delta may stalk plans to deploy American marines to the region, military officials have said in Washington.

Pentagon sources confirmed that officials are reviewing an agreement with Nigeria that would have marines protect oil facilities because of the growing battle between Nigerian armed forces and insurgents.

The escalation of conflict causes worry in the administration because of the importance of Nigeria as a source of oil for the U.S.

Insiders said the government is reducing its reliance on Middle East supplies.
Nigeria is the third major oil supplier to the U.S and there are widespread fears that the fighting will push up the cost of heating, especially during this winter.

But other sources said the Niger Delta is rather too unstable to deploy marines.
"We do not want our forces to be directly involved in the military operation currently being undertaken by Nigerian forces. Subject to further discussions with Nigerian officials, the marines will only go in when the intensity of the conflict has reduced significantly", Pentagon officials said.

They recalled that the issue was discussed at a meeting between President Olusegun Obasanjo and security chiefs in Abuja.

Marines are better trained and equipped to tackle security in Nigeria’s South South but Washington is wary of being accused of "engaging in military conflict without the authorisation of Congress".

The formerly classified discussion between Abuja and Washington on the deployment was revealed by impeached Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyesegha, in Yenagoa last year at a meeting with stakeholders in the oil industry.

He said the Nigerian authorities were under pressure to deploy marines to protect American oil companies.
independentng.com