SITREP 12: PROOF OF LIFE FOR AMCIT STAPLETON;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000347

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/OSAC,
CA/OCS/ACS/AF FOR MESARITI
ZAGREB FOR AMBASSADOR BRADTKE
WARSAW FOR LISA PIASCIK
CIUDAD JUAREZ FOR DONNA BLAIR
OSLO FOR HELENA SCHRADER
ISTANBUL FOR TASHAWNA SMITH
SAO PAULO FOR ANDREW WITHERSPOON
DOE FOR GPERSON, CAROLYN GAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR FLISER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: ASEC CASC EPET KDEM NI PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: SITREP 12: PROOF OF LIFE FOR AMCIT STAPLETON;
DEMANDS CLARIFIED

REF: A. LAGOS 344

B. LAGOS 322

LAGOS 00000347 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for reasons 1.4 (B) and (
D)


1. (C) Summary: Amcit John Stapleton called Chevron
representatives May 16 to say that he and the other five
captives are well, and have received the medicines sent to
them. The militants are demanding a generator and a source
of potable water in exchange for release of the hostages.
Four American citizens employed by Global Industries (GI) who
were abducted May 8 remain hostages. End Summary.

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Bayelsa/Chevron: Proof of Life for Amcit Stapleton
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2. (C) American citizen John Stapleton called Chevron May

16. Stapleton, kidnapped on May 1 with four Italian
nationals, and one Croatian, told Chevron that he and the
others were well. The medications Chevron sent had been
received by the hostages. Stapleton also clarified the
militants' demands; they are asking that a generator and a
source of potable water for the community be provided to
them. (Comment: This demand seems quite modest and of the
type that would be susceptible to inclusion in a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) between the company and a community.
However, Chevron has no MOU with the local community as there
has not been a sufficient nexus between the company's
operations and that community, according to Chevron.
Moreover, the modest demand might be a feint to entice
Chevron into negotiating only to present much larger demands
once Chevron has walked to the negotiating table. End
comment)


3. (C) At the daily crisis management meeting, Chevron
security sources reported the hostages may have been moved to
another location to keep them out of harm's way. The
consultants noted that the May 16 attacks on Governor
Jonathan's house and a nearby police station in Bayelsa State
made the choice of Government House inappropriate for the
hand over of hostages, when that event occurs; as a result,
the consultants are arranging an alternate handover point. A
recent raid by Commander Ebikabowei (Ref B) on the Ekeni
village near Ezetu, near where Chevron believes the hostages
are being held, could impact on the release of the hostages,
the security consultants said.


4. (C) On May 15, Dr. Godknows Igali, Secretary to the
Bayelsa State Government, cryptically told Chevron "something
more than money" would be needed to secure the hostages'
release. The State Security Service (SSS),when asked for a
status report, referred Chevron to the Deputy Governor; SSS
nonetheless agreed to meet Chevron about the case. Chevron

LAGOS 00000347 002.2 OF 002


Managing Director Fred Nelson plans to visit Yenagoa on May
17 to meet Bayelsa Governor and Vice President-elect Goodluck
Jonathan and Governor-elect Timipre Sylva.

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Delta/GI: GI Initiating Government Meetings
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5. (C) American citizens Kevin Faller, Christopher Gay,
Michael Rousell, and Larry Plake remain hostages after being
abducted on May 8. On May 16, Global Industries (GI) said
they received a message from one of the hostage's via a
family member requesting GI expedite their release.


6. (C) As of May 16, GI has had no reciprocated contact with
any Delta state government or security official. However,
Chevron has arranged for GI representatives to meet Delta
Governor-elect Emmanuel Uduaghan in Abuja and Secretary to
the State Government Ovie Omo-Agege in Warri on May 16. If
these meetings prove unsuccessful, GI will consider
requesting Bayelsa State Secretary Dr. Igali's participation.


7. (C) On May 16, GI received a message from someone
referred to as "Egbema I" (Ref B) who claimed responsibility
for the May 8 kidnapping. The caller said the kidnapping was
done in response to the marginalization of Ijaw youth. These
same statements were reported in the press on May 16.
BROWNE