US embassy cable - 04LAGOS2572

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 002572 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR CA/OCS/FROBINSON 
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 FOR PHUPER 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD 
STATE PASS OPIC FOR CDUFFY 
STATE PASS TDA FOR BTERNET 
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER 
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR SLISER 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2014 
TAGS: EPET, CASC, PGOV, ASEC, MOPS, NI 
SUBJECT: SEABULK EMPLOYEE TAKEN HOSTAGE 
 
Classified By: Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 
s 1.4 (D & E) 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
1.  (C)  Seabulk reported to Energy Off on 26 December that 
an employee was taken hostage near Amatu, Bayelsa State, on 
25 December while carrying out operations for Shell.  The 
employee is a Croatian national.  The Iduwini National 
Movement for Peace and Development is demanding ransom and 
other concessions from Shell and its contractors for his 
release.  Shell and Seabulk are negotiating with Delta and 
Bayelsa state and local officials tomorrow, 28 December.  The 
Seabulk Managing Director recently reported to us that 
security in the Delta region is becoming less certain, and 
Seabulk has had to forgo contracts and lose money due to 
increased security concerns. 
 
Seabulk Croatian Employee Kidnapped From Vessel at Gunpoint 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
2.  (C)  Managing Director (MD) Robert Clemmons of Seabulk 
reported that Croatian employee, engineer Ivan Roso, was 
taken hostage near Amatu, Bayelsa State, approximately 20 
miles off-shore of the Dodo River, on 25 December.  A Seabulk 
vessel was operating for Shell when it was approached by a 
heavily armed boat mounted with a 50-caliber machine gun. 
Bandits commandeered the Seabulk vessel; the vessel and most 
of the crew were eventually released.  However, Roso, the 
first mate, was retained as a hostage; it is not clear why he 
was targeted.  Seabulk management believes Roso is possibly 
being held at an old cement factory in Bayelsa State. 
Clemmons stated that reports indicate Roso is being treated 
well. 
 
Iduwini National Movement Makes Ransom Demands 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
3.  (C)  Clemmons reports a group called the Iduwini National 
Movement for Peace and Development has made numerous demands 
for Roso's release, including ransom ranging from 20 million 
to 50 million Naira (approximately 147,000 USD to 367,000 
USD).  Clemmons stated that Seabulk appears to have been 
caught in the middle of a dispute between Shell; Shell's 
normal contractor in the area, Maersk; and members of the 
Iduwini  Movement.  (Note: Seabulk had agreed to lift oil for 
Shell during the holidays, as its normal contractor for this 
area, Maersk, was not operating.  End note.)  Additional 
demands by the Iduwini National Movement for Roso's release 
are directed towards Shell and Maersk, and relate to 
employment, memorandums of understanding, and ceasing legal 
action against the group.  Clemmons charged Shell, in 
critical need of a substitute for Maersk, with concealing the 
true level of operational risk in the area from Seabulk. 
 
Negotiations On-Going in Bayelsa and Delta 
------------------------------------------ 
 
4.  (C)  Clemmons reported Shell is taking the lead role in 
the negotiations; Shell and Seabulk are seeking assistance 
from both Bayelsa and Delta State officials. (While Roso was 
kidnapped in Bayelsa State, many key security officials for 
both the government and Shell are based in Warri, Delta 
State.)  In line with advice from the CG, Clemmons will meet 
tomorrow, 28 December, with the Delta State Governor and 
other officials to seek assistance prior entering 
negotiations with the Iduwini Movement.  The CG has offered 
to further assist by interceding with state officials if 
Seabulk believes it is necessary.  Energy Off, RSO, and ACS 
Officer have maintained regular contact with Clemmons, and 
have given him advice on negotiations and personal safety as 
he travels in the Delta region.  (Note: Clemmons is an AMCIT, 
and a regular Consulate contact in tracking events in the 
region.) 
 
Clemons had Predicted Upswing in Violence 
------------------------------------------ 
 
5.  (C)  In a discussion with Energy Off one week ago, 
Clemmons predicted an upswing in violence in the Delta again 
after the holidays, when operations again return to full 
swing.  Consistent with other recent reports from 
interlocutors in the region, Clemmons stated security in the 
Delta region is becoming critical.  Retaining staff is 
becoming a large issue; the captain of the vessel 
commandeered on 25 December is leaving the country.  Clemmons 
observed that security costs are escalating significantly. 
For example, entry into an area now requires prior 
negotiations with the community.  Seabulk maintains on-going 
discussions with 17 communities to support its current 
operations.  These security complications have caused Seabulk 
to lose several million dollars in the last few months in 
increased costs and lost business opportunities. 
 
Donated Chevron Boats May Pose a Danger 
--------------------------------------- 
 
6.  (C)  Clemmons also claimed that two speed boats donated 
by Chevron Texaco to its host community in Escravos are now 
being used to hold up maritime vessels.  Clemmons reported 
the vessels are capable of 28 and 32 knots, and are faster 
than any Seabulk vessel, placing his and other maritime crews 
in considerable danger. Clemmons reported at least one of the 
vessels has a 50-caliber machine gun mounted on it. 
(Comment: We cannot currently confirm this claim about the 
use of the Chevron-donated boats.  However, it highlights the 
complexities of operating in the Delta.  Assets used to 
resolve one problem can transform to cause another problem. 
We will check with Chevron to learn the current status of the 
two donated boats, and comment septel.  End comment.) 
 
BROWNE