US embassy cable - 05LAGOS502

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000502 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR CA/OCS/SDENYER 
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 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: 04/01/2015 
TAGS: EPET, EINV, CASC, PGOV, ASEC, MOPS, NI 
SUBJECT: TIDEX STRIKE CONTINUES; MISSION RAMPS UP EFFORTS 
TO INTERVENE 
 
REF: LAGOS 494 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
1.  (C)  Striking Tidex employees continue to prevent Tidex 
vessels and non-Nigerian crew members (approximately 45-50 
expatriates), including thirteen AMCITs, from leaving the 
ports of Onne, Escravos and Brass.  Tidex now states 
thirteen, not seventeen AMCITs, are aboard the detained 
vessels.  There are 10 AMCITs on seven ships at Onne (Rivers 
State), and three AMCITs on two ships at Escravos (Delta 
State). There are no reports of injuries.  Mission has 
obtained the names of the AMCITs, as well as the names and 
locations of the vessels involved.  The Nigerian strikers 
prevented a Cameroonian-crewed ship from departing Onne Port 
today, and have threatened to occupy Tidex's Lagos office on 
April 4.  Mission continues to speak with federal, state, 
labor, and military contacts to resolve the situation 
peacefully. 
 
Number of Detained Americans Lowered to 13; 
All AMCITs and Expats Safe 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  Mission has been in continuous contact with Tidex 
Managing Director Vaughn.  All AMCITs and other expatriates 
remain unharmed.  Vaughn now confirms thirteen AMCITs are 
aboard the detained vessels.  Reports of the total number of 
ships involved have fluctuated, but Vaughn has confirmed 10 
AMCITs are on board seven ships of the eleven ships at Onne, 
and three AMCITs are on board two of the four ships held at 
Escravos.  Vaughn reports no Americans aboard the vessel at 
Brass.  We do not have any information on the identities of 
third-country national (British, Filipino, Cameroonian, and 
other) crew members, nor a complete list of all of the 
detained vessels. 
 
No Progress in Negotiations; 
Strikers Threaten Office Occupation 
------------------------------------ 
 
3.  (C)  MD Vaughn stated that NUPENG and PENGASSAN sent 
representatives to meet with Tidex management today. 
However, in line with corporate policy, the management team 
refuses to meet until the strikers return to work (or at 
least release the expatriate workers and the vessels 
unharmed).  In response, the strikers have threatened to 
occupy Tidex's Lagos office on April 4.  We have advised 
Tidex to take appropriate security precautions in light of 
this possible action. 
 
Cameroonians Prevented from Leaving Onne 
----------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C)  Two vessels at Onne, the Columbia Seahorse and 
Princess Tide, are Cameroonian-registered and crewed.  One of 
the Cameroonian vessels attempted to depart Onne Port today, 
but the Nigerian strikers threatened the Captain, and 
prevented the ship from leaving.  The Nigerian Navy had 
offered to escort the Cameroonian vessels out of the port. 
We have cautioned the senior Naval Officer in the area 
against any precipitous action that may result in harm to 
person or property.  The situations in Escravos and Brass are 
reported calm. 
 
Navy Contacts Understand Need to Avoid Violence; 
Report Strikers Not Armed 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
5.  (C)  DATT has been in contact with Captain Oraka, 
Commander of the Nigerian naval base in Port Harcourt, and 
his second-in-command, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Namiri 
(phonetic) most of the day.  LCDR Namiri said they understood 
the USG and Tidex desire to avoid the use of force, and 
indicated the military will not do anything to provoke the 
strikers.  LCDR Namiri has visited the Cameroonian vessels 
Columbia Seahorse and Princess Tide, as well as the Ed Kylie, 
which is captained by an AMCIT, with three AMCITs on board. 
LCDR reported the strikers did not appear to be armed and 
were not/not threatening the non-Nigerian crew members. 
Mission Making Other Contacts for Peaceful Resolution 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
6.  (C)  Meanwhile, Mission continues to explore avenues for 
intervention by intermediaries to resolve the situation 
peacefully.  The Consul General has spoken with both Rivers 
State Governor Peter Odili and Bayelsa State Governor 
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to express our concern regarding the 
safety of the AMCITs, and our desire have a peaceful 
resolution of this matter (i.e., the expatriate crew and the 
vessels should be released, and negotiations over the labor 
issues moved to a more orthodox venue - a conference table.) 
The two Governors promised to monitor the situation, and to 
make sure no rash actions are taken; they offered to mediate 
if necessary.  Econ Off spoke with the Nigerian Labor 
Congress President Adams Oshiomole, who promised to use his 
good offices to help resolve the situation.  Embassy is also 
attempting to meet the National Security Advisor. 
BROWNE