US embassy cable - 05ANKARA5247

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005247 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MOPS, EAID, TU, IZ, Iraq 
SUBJECT: TALAFAR SITUATION: TURKS WANT TO SEND HA SEPT. 10 
 
REF: ANKARA 5221 
 
Classified By: Counselor for Political-Military Affairs Timothy A. Bett 
s for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U)  This is an action request -- see para 3. 
 
2. (C) Recalling his discussion with us the previous day 
(reftel), MFA MidEast DG Oguz Celikkol contacted polmilcouns 
Sept. 8 to relay that the Turkish Red Crescent was preparing 
to send "on Saturday or Sunday" (Sept. 10 or 11) from Ankara 
three trucks of humanitarian assistance to Talafar.  The 
trucks would be carrying 120 tons of food, 30 tons of water, 
water purification tablets and up to 500 tents. 
Additionally, on Sept. 12, Turkey plans to send two trucks 
carrying medical supplies.  He said instructions to contact 
Embassy Baghdad and PM Jafari's office had been sent to the 
Turkish Embassy in Baghdad.  He reiterated his earlier 
request that we specify which route these trucks should 
travel--i.e., over the Syrian border or through the Habur 
Gate.  MFA was preparing a detailed list of the relief 
supplies and would provide it to us late Sept. 9. 
 
3. (C) Action Request: We request immediate guidance on what 
to tell the Turks about the preferred route to Talafar 
(through Habur or through Syria, and then by which road).  We 
would appreciate Embassy Baghdad's assistance in keeping 
abreast of the ITG's consideration of the Turkish offer, as 
we have found that communications through the Iraqi Embassy 
here or, at times, the Turkish Embassy Baghdad can be slow. 
MCELDOWNEY