TFKU01: WAR OF THE EMBASSIES SITREP: TURKS THROW IN THE

S E C R E T KUWAIT 04869 E.O. 12356 DECL:OADR TAGS: PREL PGOV KU SUBJECT: TFKU01: WAR OF THE EMBASSIES SITREP: TURKS THROW IN THE TOWEL AS GENERATORS RACK UP ANOTHER VICTUM ¶1. TURKISH AMBASSADOR INFORMED US THIS MORNING, AUGUST 28, THAT HE HAS BEEN FORCED TO CLOSE HIS EMBASSY. HE AND A REMAINING STAFF OF 11 WILL CLOSE THE DOORS TODAY AND DRIVE TO BAGHDAD, AND HOPEFULLY ON TO ANKARA. AMBASSADOR RECEIVED CLOSURE ORDERS FROM ANKARA AT 0100 LKT. DECISION TO CLOSE IS RESULT OF GENERATOR FAILURE, AND CONSEQUENT FOOD SPOILAGE, NOT/NOT A CHANGE IN POLICY. TURKS HAVE BEEN AMONG THE TOUGHEST IN STANDING UP TO THE IRAQIS HERE, AND HAVE BUILT MORE THAN ONE BACKBONE INTO A WEAKER EUROPEAN ALLY IN TOWN. ¶2. ASKED IF HE HAD COMMUNICATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO LOCAL IRAQI AUTHORITIES, AMBASSADOR DERISIVELY STATED "I AM NOT TALKING TO THEM". HE WILL SIMPLY GET IN EMBASSY CARS AND GO, AND IS TOYING WITH THE IDEA OF LEAVING WITH FULL FLAGS FLYING. HE EXPECTS TO SPEND TUESDAY NIGHT IN BAGHDAD AND GO ON TO ANKARA AUGUST 29. ¶3. FOR BAGHDAD: TURKISH AMBASSADOR WILL CONTACT YOU UPON ARRIVAL. PLEASE CONVEY WORD OF SAFE ARRIVAL TO US ASAP. TURKISH AMBASSADOR IS A STALWART FRIEND AND WE ARE SURE HE WOULD GLADLY TAKE ANYTHING FOR BAGHDAD HE CAN CARRY. ¶4. FOR ANKARA: TURK'S COMMO IS UNCERTAIN. PLEASE INFORM GOT OF CONVERSATION AND AMBASSADOR'S PLANS. ¶5. COMMENT: THIS IS THE FOURTH EMBASSY WE KNOW OF THAT HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERE GENERATOR PROBLEMS. UK HAVE APPARENTLY REPAIRED THEIRS, FOR NOW. CANADIANS ARE WORKING ON FINDING A NEW BATTERY FOR THEIRS. JAPANESE ALMOST HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE OF THEIRS. WE SUSPECT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE SAME FIX. IT WILL BE A SAD IRONY IF SADDAM IS ABLE TO FORCE US ALL OUT NOT BY BROKEN WILL, BUT BROKEN GENERATORS. END COMMENT. HOWELL