TIDEX STRIKE CONTINUES; TENSIONS INCREASE, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000503

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR CA/OCS/SDENYER
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 FOR PHUPER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS OPIC FOR CDUFFY
STATE PASS TDA FOR BTERNET
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR SLISER
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2015
TAGS: EPET EINV CASC PGOV ASEC MOPS NI
SUBJECT: TIDEX STRIKE CONTINUES; TENSIONS INCREASE, BUT
SOME STRIKERS WANT TO RETURN TO WORK

REF: A. LAGOS 494


B. LAGOS 502

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

Summary
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1. (C) Striking Tidex employees continue to prevent Tidex
vessels and non-Nigerian crew members, including thirteen
AMCITs, from leaving the ports of Onne, Escravos and Brass.
The attempt by a Cameroonian-crewed ship to depart Onne on 1
April appears to have increased tensions. Strikers made
threats against a captain and chief engineer if they attempt
to move any vessels. However, there were no injuries or
property damage reported as a result of the attempted
departure. The Nigerian Navy is considering making overtures
to the strikers on April 3 to allow two Cameroonian ships to
leave. Escravos strikers have requested permission from
their unions to return to work. Mission continues to speak
with federal, state, labor, and military contacts to resolve
the situation peacefully.

Departure of Cameroonian Ships a Point of Contention
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2. (C) The Cameroonian captain's attempt to move his vessel
on April 1 was unwise, and appears to have raised the overall
level of tension. The Captain of the Princess Tide reported
to Tidex that six union members visited him and threatened
him and the Chief Engineer if he started his engines. The
Mobile Police report they heard strikers discussing the use
of explosives to damage the vessels if moved. There were no
injuries or property damage reported as a result of the
attempted departure. There have been no visible signs of the
strikers having weapons or explosives, and it very difficult
to gauge how serious these threats may be. The third country
national captain of the Columbia Service has resigned; Tidex
management will remove him from the vessel today to allow him
to leave the country. Tidex and the Nigerian Navy are
considering attempting overtures again on April 3 to allow
the two Cameroonian ships to leave. They hope to convince
the strikers the all-Cameroonian crews have no part in a
Nigerian strike, and are being held against international
law. The Consul General continues to caution Tidex
management against any actions which might trigger violence
from the strikers. Tidex management concurs there should not
be any rash action which might cause harm to person or
property. Moreover, Tidex Nigeria Managing Director (MD) Bob
Vaughn stated that he did not want to initiate any
significant action prior to the imminent arrival of senior
Tidewater International (Tidex's U.S. parent company)
management.

Escravos Strikers Want to Return to Work
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3. (C) Cracks appear to be growing between the strikers in
Onne and those in Escravos. Tidex reports the Escravos
strikers are now saying they would like to return to work,
and have contacted their unions to request permission to do
so. (Note: None of the strikers have been paid since the
beginning of the strike, and they under some pressure from
their families stop the strike so salaries will begin flowing
again. End note.)

Mission, Tidex, Continue Outreach
for Peaceful Resolution
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4. (C) Mission continues to speak with federal, state,
labor, and military contacts, and to broker similar meetings
for Tidex management, to promote a peaceful resolution of the
situation. The Minister of Transportation Sekibo has
designated an envoy to meet the strikers to assist in
resolving the situation. Nigerian Labor Congress President
Adams Oshiomole will meet with Tidex officials in Lagos on
Sunday. The Consul General is planning a meeting with
Oshiomole as well, and is attempting to meet with Dr.
Daukoru, Presidential Adviser for Petroleum Resources, this
evening in Lagos. Dr. Balogun, Senior Technical Advisor for
Dr. Daukoru, has also contacted the Department of Petroleum
Resources to request their assistance. Mission has also made
contact with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to
request assistance. Tidex is sending in senior management to
assist. While Tidewater Senior Vice President for Europe,
Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Reg McNee, has been in
Lagos for several days to assist Tidex MD Bob Vaughn, they
are now expecting their Executive Vice President for the
region to arrive shortly. Tidex has provided schematics to
us indicating the location of the vessels within the ports;
DATT and RSO will use these for contingency planning.
BROWNE