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. -------------- -------------- Bayelsa/Chevron: Proof of Life for Amcit Stapleton -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- Delta/GI: GI Initiating Government Meetings -------------- ¶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