Nigeria/ Cheney: Nigeria is negotiating a settlement of $ 250 million USD

Nigeria negotiated a settlement of $ 250 million to stop taking legal action against the former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other officials in a case of bribery, kickbacks allegedly paid by Halliburton, a Nigerian official said Tuesday.

•    The arrangement entered into by Nigeria with the oil services company Halliburton, of which Cheney was chief, however, must still be approved by the government, "said Femi Babafemi, a spokesman for the agency to fight against corruption Nigeria.
•    "The Minister of Justice must ratify (the arrangement) on behalf of the federal government," he added, saying that a decision should be taken before the end of the week.
•    The money will be paid to avoid a "judicial process".
•    Nigerian officials had told AFP Monday that the government could consider a settlement of this case as a result of negotiations held during the weekend in London.
•    The Nigerian authorities had complained to the High Court in Abuja against Mr. Cheney and other officials a week ago Halliburton for paying bribes related to the construction of a liquefied gas plant.
•    Dick Cheney headed the oil services group Halliburton before becoming vice-president of the United States with President George W. Bush, from 2001 to early 2009.
•    According to Mr. Babafemi, the 250 million that Halliburton would pay include 130 million currently frozen in Switzerland and the rest would be paid as fines.
•    A multinational consortium involved in the gas facility, TSKJ, is also part of the file. It includes companies Technip (France), Snamprogetti (Italy), Kellogg Brown & Root (USA), and JGC (Japan).
•    Counsel for Mr. Cheney said last week that accusations of Nigeria were "baseless." Halliburton, which had claimed not to be involved in the case, declined to comment on this arrangement.
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• Ennaharonline/ M. O.