IRAQ: SEEKING RESPONSE TO TURKISH REQUEST FOR

UNCLAS ANKARA 003896 SIPDIS BAGHDAD PLEASE ALSO PASS TO MNF-I E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PREL IZ TU SUBJECT: IRAQ: SEEKING RESPONSE TO TURKISH REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THE DEATH OF TURKISH NATIONAL IN IRAQ REF: ANKARA 3619 ¶1. This is an action requested -- see para 2. ¶2. Ref A requested guidance on how to respond to a Turkish diplomatic note dated June 23, 2004, seeking information on an alleged incident on June 18 in which a Turkish national was killed by U.S. forces at a check point between Ramadi and Fallujah and suggesting that indemnity for the death may be due. As Embassy has not received a reply to Ref A, on July 13, Embassy sent an interim response by diplomatic note (text at para 3) to the Turkish MFA informing that we had forwarded their request and would contact them once Ref A was answered. ACTION REQUEST: Embassy again requests guidance on how to respond to Ref A Turkish diplomatic note. ¶3. Begin text of Embassy diplomatic note to the Turkish MFA dated July 13, 2004: The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and, in reference to the Ministry,s diplomatic note number 2204/KOKD/262781, dated June 23, 2004, has the honor to inform the Ministry that the Embassy has forwarded the referenced note requesting information on the death of a Turkish national in Iraq to the appropriate United States, authorities. The Embassy will inform the Ministry promptly upon receipt of relevant information. The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the assurances of its highest consideration. End text of diplomatic note. ¶4. Baghdad minimize considered. DEUTSCH