21.   But the Commonwealth has held back from strong sanctions against the Nigerian military regime, while it waits for a fact-finding mission to visit the country next month.

22.   Commonwealth leaders, in an unprecedented move, suspended Nigeria Saturday and warned it could be thrown out altogether after the Nigerian military regime executed nine political activists.

23.   Commonwealth foreign ministers meeting here Tuesday recommended a series of sanctions against the Nigerian military regime in an effort to force it to effect political and rights improvements.

24.   The White House on Wednesday welcomed sanctions proposed by Commonwealth foreign ministers against the Nigerian military regime in an effort to restore democracy to the west African country.

25.   Washington is the biggest oil client of the Nigerian regime, followed by Britain.

26.   Last week the Nigerian regime executed nine tribal Ogoni leaders and civil rights activists convicted of murder, despite calls by Mandela and the international community for clemency.

27.   So far, international measures taken have failed to persuade the Nigerian military regime to restore democracy and recognise human rights.

28.   Shell went on the offensive Tuesday, accusing human rights and environmental activists of provoking the Nigerian regime into executing the nine dissidents.

29.   South African President Nelson Mandela is a leader of an international campaign to denounce the Nigerian regime.

30.   Soyinka said that Norway, as a major oil industry player, was well placed to lead an international protest movement to force reform on the Nigerian regime.