DELTA SITREP #4

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001112 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2016 TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI SUBJECT: DELTA SITREP #4 Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) -------------- -------------- No Confirmed Communication with Port Harcourt Kidnappers -------------- -------------- ¶1. (C) Apparently, the GON and Rivers State Government are slowly beginning to organize themselves to handle this hostage situation. A German diplomat reported that the GON was establishing two crisis response teams, one in Port Harcourt and the other in Warri, Delta State. A security consultant hired by one of the affected companies stated he was told Governor Odili would be the nominal head of the joint federal-state government team negotiating with the kidnappers. However, Odili will likely not be intimately involved in the direct negotiations. The federal State Security Service will have a significant role as they have taken the lead in negotiations leading to the release of the Filipino, Belgian, and Moroccan hostages. ¶2. (C) Based upon our communication with Odili, he has yet to designate a chief negotiator for Rivers Government. Other sources today also confirmed preliminary GON contact with the kidnappers has occurred. However, these contacts have not yet resulted in discussion of proof of life evidence. -------------- -------------- Companies, Security Experts, and Governments Confer -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) U.S., UK, Irish, and German consulate staff, company representatives and their security consultants met today to establish a working group, as has been the practice during the abductions earlier this year. Representatives are gathering proof of life questions for the negotiators to use and medical information about the hostages. The security consultants will travel to Port Harcourt today and tomorrow to liaise with the GON team. While there, the consultants will determine whether they should work out of Port Harcourt or return to Lagos. We informed them that additional FBI agents are due to arrive to act as advisors to the consulate in this situation. Two German police officers are already in Port Harcourt. -------------- Kidnapping of Lebanese National Confirmed -------------- ¶4. (C) We have confirmed reports that Daniel Cowry, a Lebanese worker, was kidnapped yesterday. We learned that the kidnapping occurred in Rivers State near the border with Bayelsa, and not Bayelsa State as previously reported. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) We continue our coordination efforts with the GON, Rivers State, diplomatic missions, and companies. Immediate next steps are to encourage Rivers State to designate its head negotiator, have the companiesQ, security consultants meet the leaders of the joint federal-state team, and then focus on proof of life and the physical health of the hostages. End Comment. BROWNE