TFKI02: SITREP NO. 1 : IRAQ/KUWAIT TASK FORCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 254153 E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ KU US SUBJECT: TFKI02: SITREP NO. 1 : IRAQ/KUWAIT TASK FORCE CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT. -- IRAQI FORCES ARE IN CONTROL OF KUWAIT. THE EMIR'S PALACE IS UNDER SEIGE, AND THE AIRPORT IS CLOSED. FIGHTING IS CONTINUING IN THE VICINITY OF THE EMBASSY. (EMBASSY KUWAIT/TASK FORCE TELCONS) -- THE STATE RADIO STATION IS BROADCASTING REPORTS THAT IRAQ HAS HANDED THE CITY OVER TO "POPULAR FORCES" WHO STAGED A COUP AND INVITED IRAQ TO INTERVENE. BAGHDAD RADIO BROADCAST SIMILAR REPORTS SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER. EMBASSY KUWAIT DISCOUNTS SUCH REPORTS AS TOTALLY UNTRUE. (EMBASSY KUWAIT/TASK FORCE TELCON, BAGHDAD 4399) -- THE EMIR AND CROWN PRINCE HAVE REPORTEDLY TAKEN REFUGE IN SAUDI ARABIA, AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN CAIRO. (EMBASSY KUWAIT/TASK FORCE TELCON) -- THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF INJURIES TO AMERICAN CITIZENS. EMBASSY KUWAIT HAS ACTIVATED THE WARDEN SYSTEM AND COMPLETED DESTRUCTION PROCEDURES. 40-50 KUWAITI SPECIAL FORCES PERSONNEL ARE DEPLOYED TO PROTECT THE EMBASSY. THE CANADIAN EMBASSY HAS OFFERED PROTECTION TO AMERICANS. EMBASSY BAGHDAD HAS ALSO ACTIVATED THE WARDEN SYSTEM. (EMBASSY KUWAIT/TASK FORCE TELCONS, BAGHDAD 4411) -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY KELLY DELIVERED A STRONG DEMARCHE TO THE IRAQI AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON, AND CHARGE WILSON DELIVERED THE SAME MESSAGE TO IRAQI FM TARIZ AZIZ IN BAGHDAD. AZIZ SAID IRAQ HAD INTERVENED AT THE REQUEST OF A KUWAITI REVOLUTIONARY GROUP. (EMBASSY BAGHDAD/TASK FORCE TELCON) -- AT THE UNSC, THE UNITED STATES IS SPONSORING A STRONG RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IRAQ'S ATTACK AND DEMANDING IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL. WE HAVE STRONG WESTERN BACKING AND THE NAM IS SUPPORTIVE, EXCEPT YEMEN. THE SOVIETS ARE UNINSTRUCTED. CHINA WILL FOLLOW THE CONSENSUS. (PICKERING/MACK TELCONS) KIMMITT