US embassy cable - 90KUWAIT4869

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