SITREP 17: FIVE AMCITS REMAIN HOSTAGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000372 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: 05/23/2017 TAGS: ASEC CASC EPET KDEM NI PGOV PREL SUBJECT: SITREP 17: FIVE AMCITS REMAIN HOSTAGES REF: LAGOS 367 Classified By: Consul Alan B. C. Latimer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) -------------- Bayelsa/Chevron: Supplies Not Delivered, Hostage Developed Rash -------------- ¶1. (C) American citizen John Stapleton, four Italians, and one Croatian remain hostages after being kidnapped off the shore of Bayelsa State on May 1. As of May 23, the State Security Service (SSS) emissary had not delivered Chevron's welfare package containing water, soft drinks, food and naira 1 million (approximately USD 8,000) (Reftel). Victor Ebikabowei, the kidnapper, allowed one of the hostages to speak with the Director of SSS on May 22. The hostage, whose name was not revealed, said he developed a rash and requested the delivery of hydrocortisone and ibuprofen. Ebikabowei reiterated that the last welfare package received was too small and needed more substantial items. (Note: In response to this request Chevron chose to include soft drinks and food in the most recent welfare package. End Note.) ¶2. (C) The Director of SSS asked Chevron on May 22 to provide naira 2 million (approximately USD 16,000) because the Bayelsa State finance official who previously paid the "logistics costs" was purportedly "not available." (Note: Chevron confirmed the Bayelsa State Government paid the "logistics costs" for previous welfare packages; Reftel reported that Chevron had paid. End Note.) Chevron told SSS it would not provide these funds as this was not the company's responsibility. That evening, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa asked Chevron to pay the naira 2 million--Chevron refused. The Deputy Governor and the SSS emissary visited the Chevron representatives in Yenagoa and called Ebikabowei. The emissary requested that Ebikabowei work with the Deputy Governor to "resolve problems" and suggested the kidnappers could release the hostage who has developed a rash. (Note: In a subsequent meeting, Chevron's crisis team did not support a partial release unless there was a life-threaening reason. End Note.) -------------- Delta/GI: Amcits Remain Hostages; Kidnappers Continue Calls -------------- ¶3. (C) Four American Global Industries (GI) employees, Kevin Faller, Christopher Gay, Michael Rousell and Larry Plake, remain hostages. GI representatives planned to meet with the Secretary to Delta State Government, Ovie Omo-Agege on May SIPDIS ¶23. GI is working with Chevron to prepare for the hostages' release. GI has referred the kidnappers' inquiries to Delta government officials. BROWNE