US embassy cable - 04LAGOS2363

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 002363 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR EB/ESC/IEC/ENR/BLEVINE 
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF 
STAT FOR INR/AA 
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY 
STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER 
STATE PASS DOC PHUPER 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EPET, CASC, PGOV, MOPS, NI 
SUBJECT: ASARI WITHDRAWAL FROM PEACE PROCESS UNCLEAR; SHELL 
CONTRACTOR KILLED IN BAYELSA 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
1.  (SBU)   Press accounts state Niger Delta People's 
Volunteer Force (NDPVF) leader Asari has pulled out the peace 
talks with the Government of Nigeria.  However, Shell's 
External Relations Director told us that his sources in the 
area indicate Asari has not withdrawn from the peace accord. 
Shell reported that a contractor was killed in the Delta 
region on 17 November; Shell employees repelled an attempt to 
take over a rig on 20 November.  It is not yet known whether 
the perpetrators of these attacks are associated with Asari. 
U.S. firm Seabulk received a threat on 18 November 
purportedly from the NDPVF to attack its joint venture 
operation and to kidnap expatriate workers unless the firm 
pays a ransom. In direct discussions between Seabulk and 
Asari, Asari neither endorsed nor renounced this threat. 
While extortion has become a regular component of doing 
business in the Delta, Seabulk noted an increase in 
extortionate letters the firm has received during the last 
few weeks. 
 
Press: Asari Pulled Out of the Peace Process 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2.  (U)  Press accounts from November 17 and 18 state that 
the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF) leader Asari 
pulled out the peace talks with the Government of Nigeria. 
The Vanguard newspaper reported Asari stating that, "I can 
only speak to what I have seen and observed and I can tell 
you that the process has not been transparent and this lack 
of transparency I always knew would not sustain the process. 
All I can say now is that that Obasanjo is not committed to a 
peaceful resolution of the conflict."  The Vanguard alleged 
that Asari was disgruntled that rival militia leader Ateke 
Tom had turned in less weapons than had the NDPVF. 
 
Shell Disputes Press Reports of Asari Pullout 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
3.  (SBU)  The Shell External Relations Director stated that, 
contrary to press reports, his reliable sources indicate that 
Asari had not withdrawn from the peace accord.  The Chevron 
Texaco Environmental, Safety, and Health Manager noted no 
uptick in security threats against Chevron.  A survey of most 
other American firms working in the Delta region produced no 
other complaints of recent increased tensions or threats by 
community groups. 
 
Contractor Killed in Bayelsa; Shell Repels Rig Seizure 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
4.  (SBU)  Over the weekend, Shell experienced two separate 
attacks.  It is not yet known whether the perpetrators of 
these incidents are associated with Asari.   In the first 
incident, the Shell External Relations Director confirmed 
that a contractor (nationality unknown) was killed on 17 
November in the creek area of Nembe, Bayelsa state.  No 
further details were available.  In the second incident, a 
Shell security employee reported that on 20 November, about 
150 community youths attempted to seize Rig 75 in Bayelsa 
State.  Shell employees locked the rig down, and the youths 
were not successful.  The Nigerian Army appears to have shot 
one youth in the leg during the ensuing altercation.   No 
Shell or military employees were injured.  The Shell employee 
reported that the youths attacked due to a dispute concerning 
a Memorandum of Understanding between the community and 
Shell. 
 
Group Claiming to Represent Asari Threatens Seabulk 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
5.  (SBU)  The Managing Director (MD) of U.S. firm Seabulk 
informed the U.S. Consulate that it had received a threat on 
18 November, allegedly from the NDPVF, to shut down its joint 
venture operation (which operates five crewboats in Nigeria), 
and to kidnap expatriate workers at the JV company base, 
unless the firm paid 3 million naira to the NDPVF and 
immediately employed 50 workers from the Niger Delta. 
Seabulk representatives met with Asari on 19 November, at 
which time Asari did not appear to know about the threat. 
However, he was unwilling to renounce the threat, and 
indicated that he would get back in touch with Seabulk later. 
 Seabulk?s MD also stated that several letters from 
community groups making various demands and appeals have now 
copied Asari on their letters. 
 
6. (SBU)  The Seabulk MD also noted an uptick in the number 
of threatening letters from various community groups 
demanding meetings this month.  He stated that U.S. firm 
Tryco had also been approached by a group claiming to 
represent Asari.  The Seabulk MD is of the opinion that the 
GON negotiations with the NDPFV have opened the door for 
extortion by other community groups.  The MD also indicated 
that these types of demands become more prevalent close to 
the Christmas holidays, as communities attempt to raise funds 
for end of the year festivities. 
 
7. (SBU)  Seabulk passed to the Consulate copies of letters 
to Seabulk from the Ijaw Youth Council, Okira Local 
Government Council, and the Brass Local Government Council. 
The letters include charges of "utter neglect of local 
content policies, deliberate and calculative discriminatory 
policies and employment and empowerment measures against Ijaw 
youth," to demands for sports promotion, employment, 
contracts, and homage to the Executive Chairman.  (Note: 
Upwards of 90 percent of Seabulk employees are Nigerian, many 
from the Delta region.) 
BROWNE