30 CHEVRON EMPLOYEES, INCL. AMCIT, STILL HELD IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 002451

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR CA/OCS/FROBINSON
STATE FOR EB/ESC/IEC/ENR/BLEVINE
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF
STATE FOR INR/AA
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
STATE PASS DOC PHUPER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2014
TAGS: EPET CASC PGOV MOPS NI
SUBJECT: 30 CHEVRON EMPLOYEES, INCL. AMCIT, STILL HELD IN
ROBERT-KIRI

REF: LAGOS 2446

Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)

Summary
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1. (C) As of 0900 (local) December 7, thirty Chevron Texaco
(CT) employees, including one Amcit, continued to be held at
the Robert-kiri flow station near Port Harcourt, Rivers
State. There are no reports of injuries, threats, or
maltreatment of the detained, and CT has been in
communication with them. While a few of them may have knives
and other implements, the occupiers do not appear to be
heavily armed. Informal talks to resolve the occupation are
on-going and formal negotiations in Port Harcourt may begin
as early as noon (local) today, with community members, CT
and state GON officials participating. The Consul General
and other Consulate officials have been in constant contact
with Chevron and GON officials regarding the overall
situation, and the status of the Amcit involved. End
Summary.

30 CT Employees Still Held; No Reports of Injuries
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2. (C) Chevron Texaco (CT) Nigeria's Environmental, Safety
and Health Manager, Cheryl Robnett confirmed the 30 CT
employees, including one Amcit, continue to be held at the
Robert-kiri flow station (reftel). Robnett confirmed CT is
able to communicate with those being held. While some of the
townspeople may have knives or other homemade weapons, there
are no reports that the occupiers are heavily armed. No one
has reported the presence of firearms. Chevron confirms
there are no reports of injuries and the employees are not
being mis-treated.

Formal Negotiations Scheduled to Begin Today
--------------


3. (C) A Rivers State delegation went to the flowstation
late yesterday evening to negotiate with community members.
However, the community members refused to meet with the GON
delegation last night. According to Chevron, the community
members talked via telephone to them. The sides reached
agreement to meet Chevron perhaps as early as noon today in
Port Harcourt. Rivers State officials will be included in
these formal discussions. The delegation will be led by
Tonye Harry, Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of
Assembly, who is from the community involved in the
occupation. According to Chevron, the occupiers also agreed
to begin to leave the facility, but we have no verification
that this exit has begun.

AMCIT Assistance
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4. (C) The Consul General has been in constant contact with
Chevron officials regarding the status of the Amcit being
held at Robert-kiri, and has discussed this matter with the
Rivers State Deputy Governor. (Note: Governor Odili is
currently in Italy. End note.) Similarly, other sections of
the Consulate, including the DATT and RSO, have been in
regular communication with their Nigerian and Chevron
counterparts. The Consul General will also travel to Port
Harcourt early on December 8 to meet with the Deputy Governor
and oil company officials about this situation and other
related issues.

Supply Shortage is Concern; Re-Supply Plans in Process
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5. (C) Chevron ESH Manager Robnett told energy officer,
CT's major worry during a community invasion is a shortage of
food and other supplies, since these disputes are usually
resolved without injuries. Normally, CT facilities are
stocked with a couple of weeks of supplies for the small
number of employees working at the facility. With the
addition of occupiers, supplies often run out quickly.
Robnett said should the occupiers remain throughout today, CT
will begin talking with them about re-supplying the facility.
BROWNE