Cablegate: Mnj Kidnaps French Uranium Workers

VZCZCXRO0829
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0616 1750746
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 230746Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4378
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0694
RUZEHAA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000616

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC NG
SUBJECT: MNJ KIDNAPS FRENCH URANIUM WORKERS

1. (U) The MNJ has claimed on its website to have kidnapped
four French employees of the uranium mining company COMINAK
(a subsidiary of AREVA) in the northern town of Airlit the
night of June 21/22. It has not made any demands, and says
that it will release the four as soon as arrangements can be
worked out with the Red Cross. It claimed to have kidnapped
the French workers to show that the GON cannot ensure
security in the north. It reiterated its warning to foreign
mining companies operating there.

2. (SBU) The French DCM said that the workers were seized
around 6:30 or 7:00 the morning of June 22 while hiking
outside the COMINAK compound. He was optimistic that they
would be released to the Red Cross on June 23 or 24.
ALLEN

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