OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #12

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000081

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #12

REF: A. LAGOS 80 AND PREVIOUS

B. ABUJA 76

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)

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Hostage Welfare Update
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1. (C) Econoff, Tidex operations manager, and an HMG
official met five representatives allegedly acting for the
kidnappers and negotiating with Bayelsa State Governor
Goodluck Jonathan. Four of the representatives willingly
spoke with Econoff. They said the captives were healthy, and
they hoped a resolution would come soon. When asked if they
were accepting offers of medicine, water, mosquito nets and
other supplies, they replied, "Don't worry, everything is in
God's hands." The fifth representative, apparently the
leader, refused to interact with the delegation, possibly
indicating some disagreement about meeting the hostages'
employer. (Note. All three people were introduced as Tidex
officials. End Note.) The representatives gave Bayelsa
State Governor Goodluck Jonathan a photograph of the four
hostages, which, according to them, was taken on Friday.
While the photo cannot be directly dated, the hostages have
several days beard growth, which would appear to support the
photo having been taken recently. The representatives
promised to release the photograph to the media.


2. (C) In a separate meeting, representatives of the
Movement for the Survival of the Niger Delta (MSND),Victor
Benson and a female calling herself only "comrade," told
Econoff and HMG official that the hostages were in good
health. MSND is another group claiming to have contact with
the kidnappers.

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Evacuation and Repatriation Planning
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3. (C) Tidex asked Shell to provide boats and helicopter
transport for the hostages in case they are released in the
creeks. Depending on the condition of the hostages, Shell
would bring them to their Warri clinic, Port Harcourt, or
Lagos, where they would eventually overnight either in a
British Deputy High Commission or USG residence. Tidex
requested that a Shell corporate jet then transport the
hostages from the Lagos airport to London, where they would
be met by their respective national government
representatives; Shell is evaluating this request.
Alternatively, HMG could arrange for a British Air flight.


4. (C) Shell requested we convey to the appropriate GON
military contact their desire for military escorts for the
hostages from their point of release. The Bulgarian
Ambassador has asked the USG to take charge of Bulgarian
hostage Milko Nitchev until arrival in London. We accepted
responsibility, and HMG accepted responsibility for Honduran
Harry Ebanks until his arrival in London.


5. (C) Acting Consul General and ACS officer will meet with
Tidex management on January 23 to solidify repatriation plans
for the hostages if they are released. Tidex representative
Chris Jones has travel documents and personal effects for all
of the hostages. Passports for the Honduran and Bulgarian
will be sent to the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos
for visas, and consular officers will work on expediting
departure procedures.

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U.S. Mission Actions
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6. (C) Econoff will remain in Yenagoa for meetings with the
Governor, Attorney General Dixon, and Commissioner of Police
Ringim. He will be present when the full committee
reconvenes on January 23, and then he will proceed to the
Warri area unless information regarding the whereabouts of
the hostages changes.


7. (U) This cable is a joint Embassy-ConGen cable.
HOWE