ACTION REQUEST: RESPONSE TO GOR'S DIPNOTE ON IRAQ

S E C R E T STATE 130472


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2018
TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL IZ RS
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: RESPONSE TO GOR'S DIPNOTE ON IRAQ
INCIDENT

REF: BAGHDAD 3825

Classified By: EUR A/S Daniel Fried, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Department requests Ambassador pass to the Government
of Russia (GOR) the results of Multi-National FORCE Iraq's
(MNF-I) investigation into purported U.S. military
involvement in a traffic accident with a Russian convoy in
Baghdad. The Ambassador may draw upon these talking points:

-- After an extensive investigation, MNF-I has developed no
evidence to suggest that any U.S. military personnel or
vehicles were involved in any accident on November 19 in
Baghdad along the road connecting the International Zone (IZ)
to the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP).

-- U.S. Embassy Baghdad obtained more detailed information
from the Russian Embassy in Baghdad, but even with this new
information MNF-I was unable to find any evidence of U.S.
involvement.

-- There is a possibility that the military vehicles in
question could have been Iraqi, as the Iraqi inventory also
includes vehicles that fit the description provided by the
Russians.

-- We suggest that the GOR may want to consider approaching
Iraqi authorities to request an investigation of possible
Iraqi involvement. U.S. Embassy Baghdad is prepared to
cooperate with the Russian Embassy in Baghdad to facilitate
such an inquiry, should the GOR request assistance.

-- We are prepared to follow any additional leads the GOR
might be able to provide on this incident.


2. (S) Background: The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
delivered a diplomatic note to the Department on November 21
protesting U.S. military involvement in a traffic accident
that purportedly occurred on November 19 in Baghdad along
Route Irish, the road connecting the International Zone (IZ)
to the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). The diplomatic
note states that "a motorcade of four U.S. Army armored
personnel carriers" approached a Russian diplomatic motorcade
from the rear at a high rate of speed. The convoy is
reported to have overtaken the Russian motorcade and forced
it off the road - causing the first of three Russian vehicles
to spin out of control, nearly overturning it. According to
the Russian note, "the U.S. Army convoy continued on without
stopping and was escorted by two U.S. military helicopters."
It is also alleged that "American military personnel pointed
their weapons" at the Russian diplomats as they passed. The
Russians demanded an investigation and "punishment of the
guilty U.S. Army personnel." They also note that they
reserve the right to seek material and moral compensation,
including possible compensation for the health of the victims.


3. (S) After an extensive investigation of these claims,
MNF-I concluded on December 3 that there is no credible
evidence to suggest that any U.S. military personnel or
vehicles were involved in the November 19 accident (reftel).
Separately, the Embassy's Regional Security Office (RSO)
concluded that no vehicles under Chief of Mission authority
were traveling on Route Irish on the date and time reported
by the Russians. Also, there were no RSO AIR assets either
escorting a motorcade or traveling to BIAP along Route Irish
on that date and time.


RICE