Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
90KUWAIT4869
1990-08-28 12:10:00
SECRET
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PGOV KU 
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O 281210Z AUG 90 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 1067
AMEMBASSY ANKARA NIACT IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD NIACT IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY RIYADH NIACT IMMEDIATE
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

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