NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #7

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000279

SIPDIS

STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
LONDON PASS TO AMBASSADOR CAMPBELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #7

REF: LAGOS 274 AND PREVIOUS

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

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Hostage Welfare Update
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1. (C) Sources in Warri told PolCouns that AmCit hostage
Macon Hawkins refuses to eat or drink and is exhibiting signs
of depression. According to those contacts the other
hostages are comfortable and the medicine sent for the
hostages has been received. Media sources claim they will
have a photograph and video of the hostages later today.
However, Delta State Governor Ibori was not sanguine about
chances of convincing the kidnappers to agree to a
photograph/video of the hostages for proof of life purposes.
Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark said he has been in contact
with the hostage-takers and was given a written note from the
hostages listing the medicines they need. We are attempting
to obtain the note.

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Negotiations Update
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2. (C) In a conversation today, Delta State Governor Ibori
confirmed his formation of a negotiating committee, chaired
by Warri-based Ijaw Chief Jonathan Ari, and not Chief Clark
as previously believed. Chief Clark is a member of the
committee, however. Ibori confirmed negotiations had been
opened with the militants but complained multiple lines of
communication from different parties to the kidnappers has
provided too high a profile and further emboldened them.
Consul General and British Deputy High Commissioner assured
Ibori neither the US nor UK was in contact with the
kidnappers. Both stressed the importance of obtaining proof
of life. The Governor confirms militant leader Government
Ekpemukpolo's cousin was killed in a recent skirmish with
Nigerian military. Ibori said the militants indicated they
might be amenable to releasing the hostages after burial
rites are completed. Ibori said the date for the ceremony
has not yet been set. (Comment: Ijaw burials are multi-day
affairs. If taken at face value, this augurs against an
immediate release but suggests the possibility would improve,
hopefully by next week. However, this could well be a
stalling tactic. In an aside, an aide to Ibori told the
British Deputy that the militants are using the hostages as
human shields to protect them from GON military activity, and
that the militants are aware of higher than normal military
action in the area. End comment.)


3. (C) Three Ijaw community leaders heard from negotiators
that talks were stalled over the kidnappers' demand for
demilitarization of the Niger Delta in Delta State. The
kidnappers complained the GON has not shown any willingness
to improve conditions in the Delta since the January hostage
crisis, and threatened to kill the negotiators if the GON
reneged on any pledge made during the current crisis.


4. (S/NF) In line with the comment of Governor Ibori's aide
to the British Deputy, community leaders said the militants
believe Nigerian military troops in Abak, Akwa Ibom state are
training to attack them. (Comment: This indicates the
militants have caught wind of the military build-up around
Warri. End comment.)

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Energy Update: Shell Facilities Still Closed
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5. (C) There is no change in the status of damaged or closed
Shell facilities, and production remains reduced
approximately 550,000 bpd.


6. (C) Power generation remains down by approximately 850 MW
(of a total of 3200 MW nationwide) due to a damaged gas
feeder line, which cannot be repaired until the security
situation improves.


7. (C) Chevron reported they do not anticipate any
significant near-term disruptions in production. Agip,
Total, Exxon, and other oil companies also report no
production problems.

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Media Update
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8. (SBU) Delta State Governor Ibori reported the kidnappers
gave two conditions for the hostages' release in the media
yesterday. The kidnappers are demanding an end to military
attacks on their communities, and completion of funeral rites
for the Ijaw allegedly killed during the attacks, Ibori said.
Media also report air operations have resumed at Osubi
Airport in Warri, and the Delta State government is
reportedly planning to send relief supplies to the
communities heavily damaged by the military.


9. (C) Former Bayelsa State Speaker of the House Boyelayefa
Debekeme was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja
for allegedly funding terrorism in the Niger Delta. The
charges point to Debekeme's activities between December 23,
2005 and January 18, 2006, immediately before and during the
last hostage crisis. Bayelsa State Secretary Dr. Igali told
us the GON had evidence linking Debekeme to the January
hostage-taking.

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Consular Update
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10. (C) All Consular staff are accounted for. There have
been no reports of additional attacks on AmCits.


11. (C) The Foreign Emergency support Team (FEST) arrived
today.

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Repatriation Planning
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12. (C) In preparation for the eventual release of the
hostages, Willbros has made open commercial airline
reservations for the hostages' return home. Shell will take
responsibility for care and transport to Lagos.
BROWNE