UPDATE ON AMCIT MISSIONARY SHOT IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

UNCLAS RECIFE 000078

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PGOV PREL BR TIP
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON AMCIT MISSIONARY SHOT IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

REF: RECIFE 00000074

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (SBU) Summary. John David Leonard, an American citizen
missionary shot in Brazil, has been medevaced back home to a
hospital in Des Moines, IA, where he remains under medical care.
Embassy LegAtt and A/LegAtt traveled to the area where Mr.
Leonard was attacked, and report that investigation into the
incident continues, although the assailants have not yet been
identified. Contrary to some published speculation, there
appears to be no political motive behind the attack, nor are
there any connections to the recent murder of American nun
Dorothy Stang. Rather, the most likely motive appears to be
either Mr. Leonard's personal business practices as a landlord
or his involvement in ministry in an area known for alcohol and
drug abuse. End Summary.


2. (U) American missionary John David Leonard returned to his
home in Des Moines, IA via a privately arranged medevac. All
aspects of the medevac were managed by the American mission
group supporting his work and its insurance carrier. Mr.
Leonard arrived in the US on Saturday, July 9, and remains in
Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Neither Mr. Leonard's family nor
his missionary organization requested assistance from Consulate
Recife in arranging his medevac.


3. (SBU) Embassy LegAtt and A/LegAtt visited Maceio shortly
after the shooting to express USG interest in the case and
determine the status of the Brazilian investigation. Both
reported that they had been given ample access to the principals
and the freedom to interview relevant witnesses and other
American missionaries themselves. Based on their
investigations, LegAtt's impression is that this assassination
attempt was not/not politically motivated against Mr. Leonard as
an American citizen, missionary or person involved in sensitive
political or non-governmental organization (NGO) issues.
Rather, LegAtt thinks that the murder attempt may well have
links to Mr. Leonard's unusual private business practices in
Maceio as a landlord renting homes to persons with very modest
income or his vocal stance in anti-drug efforts. According to
LegAtt, other American missionaries described Mr. Leonard as
charismatic and dynamic pastor, but weren't surprised by the
assassination attempt.


4. (U) According to his family, Mr. Leonard had only recently
returned to Brazil from a professional sabbatical to care for a
son recovering from an accident and receiving medical care in
Maceio. Mr. Leonard had been managing personal business affairs
and arranging for his son's return to the US. Beverly Leonard,
John's wife, stated that they originally tried to have their son
medevaced on the same flight as his father, but instead decided
to have him return to Iowa as originally scheduled in
approximately two weeks.



SWAVELY