Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03LAGOS2357
2003-11-14 15:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
AMCITS NOT/NOT TAKEN HOSTAGE IN DELTA - CHEVRON
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 002357
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2013
TAGS: ASEC EPET PINR NI CACS
SUBJECT: AMCITS NOT/NOT TAKEN HOSTAGE IN DELTA - CHEVRON
USES NEW STRATEGY
Classified By: J GREGOIRE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (C)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 002357
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2013
TAGS: ASEC EPET PINR NI CACS
SUBJECT: AMCITS NOT/NOT TAKEN HOSTAGE IN DELTA - CHEVRON
USES NEW STRATEGY
Classified By: J GREGOIRE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (C)
1. (C) Chevron's special security manager, Hamish Macdonald
(sic),told Econoff on November 14 that no Americans were
taken hostage in an incident earlier this week. Press
reports indicate that four barges and 21 Chevron contractors
were seized by Ijaw youths in the riverine area near Warri on
November 11. The hostages and barges were reported to have
been released the following day.
2. (C) Macdonald said that all the kidnapped contractors were
Nigerian, and that Chevron was able to secure their release
shortly after the company was made aware of their capture.
He said that while the barges were retrieved, equipment and
foodstuffs onboard had been pilfered and vandalized.
3. (C) Macdonald further told Econoff that Chevron employed a
new strategy in dealing with the incident that should prove a
successful model for similar incidents and for ongoing
negotiations with communities for access to and safety of oil
installations in the Delta swamps. Macdonald was reluctant
to go into detail via mobile phone, but he said the company
used the Delta State Security Council to secure the release
of the hostages and barges. He said that unlike previous
incidents, the Council was effective this week because it
convened key community leaders and traditional rulers that
held sway with the youths involved.
4. (C) Macdonald said Chevron paid no money and made no
promises for return of the kidnapped personnel and stolen
barges; he said "this was handled the right way, and the way
we all should handle community relations." He said he was
encouraged by the prospect of using the new strategy to help
return Chevron to its onshore fields in the Delta. Macdonald
offered to meet Econoff in person next week to discuss the
steps taken in this incident.
HINSON-JONES
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2013
TAGS: ASEC EPET PINR NI CACS
SUBJECT: AMCITS NOT/NOT TAKEN HOSTAGE IN DELTA - CHEVRON
USES NEW STRATEGY
Classified By: J GREGOIRE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (C)
1. (C) Chevron's special security manager, Hamish Macdonald
(sic),told Econoff on November 14 that no Americans were
taken hostage in an incident earlier this week. Press
reports indicate that four barges and 21 Chevron contractors
were seized by Ijaw youths in the riverine area near Warri on
November 11. The hostages and barges were reported to have
been released the following day.
2. (C) Macdonald said that all the kidnapped contractors were
Nigerian, and that Chevron was able to secure their release
shortly after the company was made aware of their capture.
He said that while the barges were retrieved, equipment and
foodstuffs onboard had been pilfered and vandalized.
3. (C) Macdonald further told Econoff that Chevron employed a
new strategy in dealing with the incident that should prove a
successful model for similar incidents and for ongoing
negotiations with communities for access to and safety of oil
installations in the Delta swamps. Macdonald was reluctant
to go into detail via mobile phone, but he said the company
used the Delta State Security Council to secure the release
of the hostages and barges. He said that unlike previous
incidents, the Council was effective this week because it
convened key community leaders and traditional rulers that
held sway with the youths involved.
4. (C) Macdonald said Chevron paid no money and made no
promises for return of the kidnapped personnel and stolen
barges; he said "this was handled the right way, and the way
we all should handle community relations." He said he was
encouraged by the prospect of using the new strategy to help
return Chevron to its onshore fields in the Delta. Macdonald
offered to meet Econoff in person next week to discuss the
steps taken in this incident.
HINSON-JONES