Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS1112
2006-08-18 20:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
how-toVZCZCXRO4776 RR RUEHDE RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #1112 2302027 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 182027Z AUG 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7807 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHHH/OPEC COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7743 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0179 RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0023 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0687 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0028 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
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
--------------------------------------------- -----------
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
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