Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 5415 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 05RECIFE78, UPDATE ON AMCIT MISSIONARY SHOT IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05RECIFE78.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
05RECIFE78 2005-07-14 17:05 2010-12-15 07:07 UNCLASSIFIED Consulate Recife
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS RECIFE 000078 

SIPDIS 

E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PGOV PREL BR TIP
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON AMCIT MISSIONARY SHOT IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL 

REF: RECIFE 00000074 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 

1. (SBU) Summary. John David Leonard, an American citizen missionary shot in Brazil, has been medevaced back home to a hospital in Des Moines, IA, where he remains under medical care. Embassy LegAtt and A/LegAtt traveled to the area where Mr. Leonard was attacked, and report that investigation into the incident continues, although the assailants have not yet been identified. Contrary to some published speculation, there appears to be no political motive behind the attack, nor are there any connections to the recent murder of American nun Dorothy Stang. Rather, the most likely motive appears to be either Mr. Leonard's personal business practices as a landlord or his involvement in ministry in an area known for alcohol and drug abuse. End Summary. 

2. (U) American missionary John David Leonard returned to his home in Des Moines, IA via a privately arranged medevac. All aspects of the medevac were managed by the American mission group supporting his work and its insurance carrier. Mr. Leonard arrived in the US on Saturday, July 9, and remains in Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Neither Mr. Leonard's family nor his missionary organization requested assistance from Consulate Recife in arranging his medevac. 

3. (SBU) Embassy LegAtt and A/LegAtt visited Maceio shortly after the shooting to express USG interest in the case and determine the status of the Brazilian investigation. Both reported that they had been given ample access to the principals and the freedom to interview relevant witnesses and other American missionaries themselves. Based on their investigations, LegAtt's impression is that this assassination attempt was not/not politically motivated against Mr. Leonard as an American citizen, missionary or person involved in sensitive political or non-governmental organization (NGO) issues. Rather, LegAtt thinks that the murder attempt may well have links to Mr. Leonard's unusual private business practices in Maceio as a landlord renting homes to persons with very modest income or his vocal stance in anti-drug efforts. According to LegAtt, other American missionaries described Mr. Leonard as charismatic and dynamic pastor, but weren't surprised by the assassination attempt. 

4. (U) According to his family, Mr. Leonard had only recently returned to Brazil from a professional sabbatical to care for a son recovering from an accident and receiving medical care in Maceio. Mr. Leonard had been managing personal business affairs and arranging for his son's return to the US. Beverly Leonard, John's wife, stated that they originally tried to have their son medevaced on the same flight as his father, but instead decided to have him return to Iowa as originally scheduled in approximately two weeks. 

SWAVELY