RUSSIAN HOSTAGES IN IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005997 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV RS IZ SUBJECT: RUSSIAN HOSTAGES IN IRAQ Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns. Reasons: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (C) Upon learning of the killing of a GOR security guard and the kidnapping of four Russian Embassy employees outside a local market in Iraq on June 3, Ambassador called DFM Saltanov to express condolences and the desire of the U.S. to provide needed assistance. The Ambassador followed up with Saltanov twice on June 4 to make clear our willingness to assist and to relay information from Washington to ensure that channels of communication in Baghdad would be open. Saltanov was grateful for the U.S. concern and has expressed appreciation for the communication that has been established between our embassies in Baghdad. ¶2. (C) Poloff contacted Ambassador-at-Large for Iraq Affairs Kirpichenko June 5 to express support and discuss ways in which the USG might assist. Kirpichenko appreciated the contact and agreed to meet as events unfold. He did not expect the MFA to issue a statement on the incident today. ¶3. (U) An MFA press release on May 4 noted that Saltanov had discussed the incident with Iraqi FM Zibari and other relevant officials. BURNS