DELTA SITREP 4: HOSTAGES REMAIN CAPTIVE, PROOF OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001340

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR GPERSON, CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI
SUBJECT: DELTA SITREP 4: HOSTAGES REMAIN CAPTIVE, PROOF OF
LIFE RECEIVED

REF: A. LAGOS 1338


B. LAGOS 1339

Classified By: Consul Alan Latimer for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) Summary. American citizen James Brazel and Briton
Martin Maddieson remain hostages. Digital photographs
verifying proof of life were received by Petroleum
Geo-Services (PGS),the hostages' employer. We have met
daily with Tim Branch, Operations Manager PGS Onshore, other
PGS officials, and Victor Boyd, Field Supervisor PGS Onshore;
Peter Sharwood, Commercial Manager, Armor Group; and Tony
Rogers and David Tampin, Control Risks (CR) (protect). We
have also maintained close contact and met with British
Deputy High Commission staff. End Summary.


2. (C) According to Tony Rogers of CR, Chevron has declined
to attend the daily meetings, although Chevron is willing to
coordinate with PGS and provide information for the meetings.
The two PGS employees were working seismic studies for
Chevron when they were kidnapped. PGS plans to ask Chevron
if a helicopter can be provided to transport Dr. Godknows
Igali, Secretary of State Government, to the village holding
the victims. Igali told the British Deputy High Commission
that he would become the government's primary contact with
the village. Igali also recommended that PGS channel its
communication through him so as to avoid multiple lines of
communication that the kidnappers would try to exploit.

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DIGITAL PHOTOS GIVE PROOF OF LIFE, MEDICATION DELIVERED
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3. (C) Proof of life, in the form of digital photographs of
both American James Brazel and Briton Martin Maddieson, as
well as letters purported from the duo saying they are being
well treated and that the community's requests should be met,
has been received. Substantiating questions are being
prepared in the event contact is made with the hostages.
Control Risks advised that persons doing family liaison may
wish to alert the families to the existence of the pictures
because they could make their way into the media.


4. (C) Anti-malarial medication and food has been delivered
and mosquito netting will also be provided to the hostages.
Two Thuraya satellite telephones are in the vicinity, but the
local rulers do not want them delivered to the hostages.
Nonetheless, CRG indicated they would continue to push to
have them delivered.

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RELEASE TODAY UNLIKELY
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5. (C) Several rumors of imminent release have circulated,
but not been borne out. According to the PGS community
liaison officer Chief Jerry Oduose, everyone with whom he has
met said the hostages would be released unconditionally.
Despite these assurances, the community is said to be
dissatisfied that they have had no response to their demands.
According to Tim Branch of PGS, the Deputy Governor did not
travel to the village, as previously reported, but turned
back to attend a campaign-related function.


6. (C) PGS received a request for "logistical expenses"
originally for naira 3 million that increased to naira 10
million. Not only has the amount of the request fluctuated,
PGS is having a difficult time ascertaining who is really in
control among those in the local community claiming to hold
the hostages. PGS has information suggesting two groups
within the community holding the hostages are vying for
control. The tussle will complicate the negotiation for
release. Thus far, however, there is no sign that the
differences between the factions in the community have had
any bearing on the treatment of the hostages.
BROWNE