This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000753 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY 
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER 
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ 
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2016 
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER CASC NI HOSTAGES
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP #2 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 1.4 (D and E). 
 
 
¶1.  (C) The Hostages:  The eight hostages were allowed to 
contact their families last night (June 2) using AmCit Texas 
Richards' satellite phone.  All remain in good health, and 
have not been subjected to any mistreatment.  Food, 
toiletries, a satellite phone battery and charger, and some 
medicines - one of the hostages is hypertensive - were 
dispatched for delivery to the hostages.  Evans expected 
another call from Richards some time today. 
 
¶2.  (C) Negotiations Ongoing:  Bayelsa State Secretary Dr. 
Godknows Igali and Senator Brigadi, who represents the 
central part of the state in the national senate, are in 
negotiations with spokesmen of the hostage-takers.  The talks 
are taking place in Yenagoa.  Igali and other sources confirm 
the negotiations are addressing two areas - conditions for 
the release of the eight hostages, and a longer term 
memorandum of understanding between Peak and the local 
community regarding local employment and community 
development.  It appears a ransom payment by the Bayelsa 
government will be made in order to obtain the hostages' 
release.  The parties are still negotiating on the longer 
term agreement.  Igali said progress was being made and was 
hopeful that the hostage release would be imminent. 
 
¶3.  (C) Expats Still On Rig:  Approximately fourteen 
expatriate workers, designated by Dolphin, remain aboard the 
rig.  We have advised the company that a second incident 
cannot be discounted and they should make adequate 
preparations should another kidnapping be attempted.  Three 
vessels are patrolling the area around the rig, including one 
100-foot ocean-going vessel capable of approximately 30 
knots, available to evacuate the remaining personnel should 
suspicious vessels come into radar range. 
 
¶4.  (C) The companies are finalizing repatriation plans. 
ConGen Lagos personnel will coordinate repatriation and 
consular support for Mr. Richards upon release.  ConGen Lagos 
remains in contact with federal and state government contacts 
as well as relevant military and law enforcement personnel. 
BROWNE