Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
90STATE255577TOSEC140323
1990-08-03 04:57:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:
TFKU01: SITREP NO. 5: IRAQ/KUWAIT TASK FORCE:
how-toO 030457Z AUG 90 ZEX FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS IMMEDIATE SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8361 JCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4000 USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB IMMEDIATE INFO COMSIXTHFLT IMMEDIATE USCINCPAC CC HI IMMEDIATE USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE USDEL SECRETARY IMMEDIATE 1570
S E C R E T STATE 255577 TOSEC 140323
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ KU US
SUBJECT: TFKU01: SITREP NO. 5: IRAQ/KUWAIT TASK FORCE:
SITUATION AS OF 2300 EDT
S E C R E T STATE 255577 TOSEC 140323
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ KU US
SUBJECT: TFKU01: SITREP NO. 5: IRAQ/KUWAIT TASK FORCE:
SITUATION AS OF 2300 EDT
1. (S) KUWAIT CITY IS QUIET, EXCEPT FOR A SERIES OF
LOUD EXPLOSIONS, REPORTEDLY AN ARTILLERY VOLLEY, WHICH
COMMENCED AT 0400 LOCAL. EMBASSY BELIEVES THIS WAS AN
IRAQI SCARE TACTIC. EMBASSY KUWAIT HAS OUTLINED A PLAN
FOR ORDERED PERSONNEL DRAWDOWN WHEN FEASIBLE. (KUWAIT
4430, 4431)
2. (S) CBS HAS REPORTED A MOVEMENT OF IRAQI FORCES
TOWARDS SAUDI ARABIA. INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS IN
WASHINGTON BELIEVE THIS MOVEMENT IS RELATIVELY SMALL AND
POSSIBLY RELATED TO CONTINUING KUWAITI RESISTANCE AT
CERTAIN OIL FACILITIES. (TASK FORCE)
3. (C) IN UNSC CONSULTATIONS IN NEW YORK, AMBASSADOR
PICKERING FOUND GENERALLY POSITIVE REACTIONS TO OUR
PROPOSAL TO MOVE TOWARD BROAD SANCTIONS. SOVIETS,
CANADIANS AND FINNS WERE FAVORABLE. FRENCH AND BRITS
WERE CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE. PRC WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE,
PREFERRING TO GIVE ARABS A CHANCE TO ACHIEVE RESULTS.
(USUN/IO TELCON).
4. (LOU) ALL TELEPHONE CONTACT WITH EMBASSY KUWAIT HAS
BEEN LOST. AT&T BELIEVES CALLS TO AND FROM THE EMBASSY
ARE BEING BLOCKED INTENTIONALLY, PRESUMABLY BY IRAQI
AUTHORITIES. VOICE COMMUNICATION IS BEING MAINTAINED
THROUGH TACSAT. (AT&T/WATCH TELCONS)
5. (S) IRAQI AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO CUT OFF DIRECT
DIALING CAPABILITY TO AND FROM BAGHDAD. CHARGE WILSON
MADE A STRONG REQUEST TO THE MFA FOR RESTORATION OF
SERVICE. HE RECOMMENDS AGAINST USE OF TACSAT AT THIS
TIME, SINCE THE IRAQIS KNOW THE EMBASSY HAS TACSAT
CAPABILITY AND HAVE DENIED PERMISSION TO USE IT.
(BAGHDAD 4435, 4436)
EAGLEBURGER
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ KU US
SUBJECT: TFKU01: SITREP NO. 5: IRAQ/KUWAIT TASK FORCE:
SITUATION AS OF 2300 EDT
1. (S) KUWAIT CITY IS QUIET, EXCEPT FOR A SERIES OF
LOUD EXPLOSIONS, REPORTEDLY AN ARTILLERY VOLLEY, WHICH
COMMENCED AT 0400 LOCAL. EMBASSY BELIEVES THIS WAS AN
IRAQI SCARE TACTIC. EMBASSY KUWAIT HAS OUTLINED A PLAN
FOR ORDERED PERSONNEL DRAWDOWN WHEN FEASIBLE. (KUWAIT
4430, 4431)
2. (S) CBS HAS REPORTED A MOVEMENT OF IRAQI FORCES
TOWARDS SAUDI ARABIA. INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS IN
WASHINGTON BELIEVE THIS MOVEMENT IS RELATIVELY SMALL AND
POSSIBLY RELATED TO CONTINUING KUWAITI RESISTANCE AT
CERTAIN OIL FACILITIES. (TASK FORCE)
3. (C) IN UNSC CONSULTATIONS IN NEW YORK, AMBASSADOR
PICKERING FOUND GENERALLY POSITIVE REACTIONS TO OUR
PROPOSAL TO MOVE TOWARD BROAD SANCTIONS. SOVIETS,
CANADIANS AND FINNS WERE FAVORABLE. FRENCH AND BRITS
WERE CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE. PRC WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE,
PREFERRING TO GIVE ARABS A CHANCE TO ACHIEVE RESULTS.
(USUN/IO TELCON).
4. (LOU) ALL TELEPHONE CONTACT WITH EMBASSY KUWAIT HAS
BEEN LOST. AT&T BELIEVES CALLS TO AND FROM THE EMBASSY
ARE BEING BLOCKED INTENTIONALLY, PRESUMABLY BY IRAQI
AUTHORITIES. VOICE COMMUNICATION IS BEING MAINTAINED
THROUGH TACSAT. (AT&T/WATCH TELCONS)
5. (S) IRAQI AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO CUT OFF DIRECT
DIALING CAPABILITY TO AND FROM BAGHDAD. CHARGE WILSON
MADE A STRONG REQUEST TO THE MFA FOR RESTORATION OF
SERVICE. HE RECOMMENDS AGAINST USE OF TACSAT AT THIS
TIME, SINCE THE IRAQIS KNOW THE EMBASSY HAS TACSAT
CAPABILITY AND HAVE DENIED PERMISSION TO USE IT.
(BAGHDAD 4435, 4436)
EAGLEBURGER