Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI2397
2006-05-31 14:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
KENYAN REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH INFORMATION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNR #2397 1511432 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 311432Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0029 INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3886 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2131
UNCLAS NAIROBI 002397
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KE
SUBJECT: KENYAN REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH INFORMATION
REGARDING POSSIBLE HOSTAGES IN IRAQ
UNCLAS NAIROBI 002397
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KE
SUBJECT: KENYAN REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH INFORMATION
REGARDING POSSIBLE HOSTAGES IN IRAQ
1. (SBU) Action request - para 3.
2. (SBU) Kenyan Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Moses
Wetangula requested a May 26 meeting with Ambassador Bellamy
to discuss the case of two Kenyan telecommunication engineers
possibly abducted in Baghdad. Wetangula presented the
Ambassador with a letter detailing the events surrounding the
possible abduction of George Noballa and Moses Munyao on
January 18, 2006 following an attack on their convoy (all
other passengers in the convoy were killed). Neither the
Government of Kenya nor the employer, IRAQNA mobil company (a
subsidiary of ORASCOM Telecom Holding SAE of Egypt),has
received any communication regarding the possible hostages.
Wetangula requested that we utilize established channels for
dealing with hostage cases to help the Kenyans locate and
secure the release of the two.
3. (SBU) Action request: Please advise what information may
be available on this case and what follow up action may be
possible. Should additional information be required from the
GoK, please advise and we will convey the message to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. (U) Text of the letter from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs follows:
MFA.231/252A
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America and has the honour to inform the esteemed Embassy
as follows:
On 18th January 2006, two Kenyan Telecommunication Engineers
were abducted in Baghdad by unknown insurgents following a
roadside attack on their convoy. Messrs George Noballa and
Moses Munyao were working for IRAQNA mobile company, a
subsidiary of ORASCOM Telecom Holding SAE of Egypt.
The whereabouts of the two Kenyans is still unknown as no
insurgent group has claimed responsibility nor demanded any
ransom even from IRAQNA, the employer company.
The Government has pursued and continues to pursue this
matter relentlessly with the aim of locating the whereabouts
of our two Kenyans and their ultimate release. The
Government is in touch with the families of Moses Munyao,
George Noballa and the Senior Management of Orascom in Cairo.
In view of this development and acknowledging your
Government's successful efforts in the past in securing the
release of hostages held under similar circumstances as the
two Kenyans, the Government of Kenya is formally requesting
the United States of America to assist in tracing, locating
and eventual release of the two Kenyan held hostages in
Badghdad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of
the United States of America the assurances of its highest
consideration.
25th May 2006
NAIROBI
End text of letter.
BELLAMY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KE
SUBJECT: KENYAN REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH INFORMATION
REGARDING POSSIBLE HOSTAGES IN IRAQ
1. (SBU) Action request - para 3.
2. (SBU) Kenyan Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Moses
Wetangula requested a May 26 meeting with Ambassador Bellamy
to discuss the case of two Kenyan telecommunication engineers
possibly abducted in Baghdad. Wetangula presented the
Ambassador with a letter detailing the events surrounding the
possible abduction of George Noballa and Moses Munyao on
January 18, 2006 following an attack on their convoy (all
other passengers in the convoy were killed). Neither the
Government of Kenya nor the employer, IRAQNA mobil company (a
subsidiary of ORASCOM Telecom Holding SAE of Egypt),has
received any communication regarding the possible hostages.
Wetangula requested that we utilize established channels for
dealing with hostage cases to help the Kenyans locate and
secure the release of the two.
3. (SBU) Action request: Please advise what information may
be available on this case and what follow up action may be
possible. Should additional information be required from the
GoK, please advise and we will convey the message to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. (U) Text of the letter from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs follows:
MFA.231/252A
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America and has the honour to inform the esteemed Embassy
as follows:
On 18th January 2006, two Kenyan Telecommunication Engineers
were abducted in Baghdad by unknown insurgents following a
roadside attack on their convoy. Messrs George Noballa and
Moses Munyao were working for IRAQNA mobile company, a
subsidiary of ORASCOM Telecom Holding SAE of Egypt.
The whereabouts of the two Kenyans is still unknown as no
insurgent group has claimed responsibility nor demanded any
ransom even from IRAQNA, the employer company.
The Government has pursued and continues to pursue this
matter relentlessly with the aim of locating the whereabouts
of our two Kenyans and their ultimate release. The
Government is in touch with the families of Moses Munyao,
George Noballa and the Senior Management of Orascom in Cairo.
In view of this development and acknowledging your
Government's successful efforts in the past in securing the
release of hostages held under similar circumstances as the
two Kenyans, the Government of Kenya is formally requesting
the United States of America to assist in tracing, locating
and eventual release of the two Kenyan held hostages in
Badghdad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of
the United States of America the assurances of its highest
consideration.
25th May 2006
NAIROBI
End text of letter.
BELLAMY