US embassy cable - 04LAGOS2451

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 002451 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR CA/OCS/FROBINSON 
STATE FOR EB/ESC/IEC/ENR/BLEVINE 
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF 
STATE 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: DECL: 12/07/2014 
TAGS: EPET, CASC, PGOV, MOPS, NI 
SUBJECT: 30 CHEVRON EMPLOYEES, INCL. AMCIT, STILL HELD IN 
ROBERT-KIRI 
 
REF: LAGOS 2446 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
1.  (C)  As of 0900 (local) December 7, thirty Chevron Texaco 
(CT) employees, including one Amcit, continued to be held at 
the Robert-kiri flow station near Port Harcourt, Rivers 
State.  There are no reports of injuries, threats, or 
maltreatment of the detained, and CT has been in 
communication with them.  While a few of them may have knives 
and other implements, the occupiers do not appear to be 
heavily armed.  Informal talks to resolve the occupation are 
on-going and formal negotiations in Port Harcourt may begin 
as early as noon (local) today, with community members, CT 
and state GON officials participating.  The Consul General 
and other Consulate officials have been in constant contact 
with Chevron and GON officials regarding the overall 
situation, and the status of the Amcit involved.  End 
Summary. 
 
30 CT Employees Still Held; No Reports of Injuries 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
2.  (C)  Chevron Texaco (CT) Nigeria's Environmental, Safety 
and Health Manager, Cheryl Robnett confirmed the 30 CT 
employees, including one Amcit, continue to be held at the 
Robert-kiri flow station (reftel).  Robnett confirmed CT is 
able to communicate with those being held.  While some of the 
townspeople may have knives or other homemade weapons, there 
are no reports that the occupiers are heavily armed.  No one 
has reported the presence of firearms.  Chevron confirms 
there are no reports of injuries and the employees are not 
being mis-treated. 
 
Formal Negotiations Scheduled to Begin Today 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C)  A Rivers State delegation went to the flowstation 
late yesterday evening to negotiate with community members. 
However, the community members refused to meet with the GON 
delegation last night.  According to Chevron, the community 
members talked via telephone to them.  The sides reached 
agreement to meet Chevron perhaps as early as noon today in 
Port Harcourt.  Rivers State officials will be included in 
these formal discussions.  The delegation will be led by 
Tonye Harry, Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of 
Assembly, who is from the community involved in the 
occupation. According to Chevron, the occupiers also agreed 
to begin to leave the facility, but we have no verification 
that this exit has begun. 
 
AMCIT Assistance 
----------------- 
 
4.  (C)  The Consul General has been in constant contact with 
Chevron officials regarding the status of the Amcit being 
held at Robert-kiri, and has discussed this matter with the 
Rivers State Deputy Governor.  (Note: Governor Odili is 
currently in Italy.  End note.)  Similarly, other sections of 
the Consulate, including the DATT and RSO, have been in 
regular communication with their Nigerian and Chevron 
counterparts.  The Consul General will also travel to Port 
Harcourt early on December 8 to meet with the Deputy Governor 
and oil company officials about this situation and other 
related issues. 
 
Supply Shortage is Concern; Re-Supply Plans in Process 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
5.  (C)  Chevron ESH Manager Robnett told energy officer, 
CT's major worry during a community invasion is a shortage of 
food and other supplies, since these disputes are usually 
resolved without injuries.  Normally, CT facilities are 
stocked with a couple of weeks of supplies for the small 
number of employees working at the facility.  With the 
addition of occupiers, supplies often run out quickly. 
Robnett said should the occupiers remain throughout today, CT 
will begin talking with them about re-supplying the facility. 
BROWNE