Cablegate: Turkey Officially Requests Information On The

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

260913Z Jun 04

UNCLAS ANKARA 003619

SIPDIS

BAGHDAD PLEASE ALSO PASS TO MNF-I

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PREL IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY OFFICIALLY REQUESTS INFORMATION ON THE
DEATH OF TURKISH NATIONAL IN IRAQ

1. This is an action requested -- see para 2.

2. On June 25, the Embassy received diplomatic note number
2204/KOKD/262781, dated June 23, 2004, requesting information
on an alleged incident on June 18 in which a Turkish national
was killed by U.S. forces at a check point between Ramadi and
Fallujah and suggesting indemnity for the death may be due.
(Comment: We understand that, to date, MNF-I has not been
able to confirm that this incident occurred.) ACTION
REQUEST: Embassy requests guidance on how to respond.

3. Begin text of informal Embassy translation of MFA note:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic
presents its complement to the Embassy of the United States
of America and wishes to inform the Embassy of the following
issue:

Many media agencies covered the news on the death of Turkish
national Faysal Demir, born in 1968 in Hatay-Reyhanli, son of
Ibrahim and Subhiye, who was shot in the head after American
soldiers opened fire to him on June 18, 2004 in Hamidiye,
Iraq.

The owner of Musluoglu Co., subcontractor of Tepe
Construction Co., and his Iraqi partner, Haji Hayat,
approached the Embassy of Turkey in Baghdad and provided the
following information on the matter.

On June 18, 2004, Ali Muftuoglu and Faysal Demir departed in
the direction of Baghdad through Syria. On 4:30 PM of the
same day they were stopped at the check point set by US
soldiers located at Hamidiye, between Ramadi and Fallujah, 40
km east of Ramadi. American soldiers opened fire at their car
and the Turkish national Faysal Demir, who was sitting in the
back seat of the car, was shot in the head and died.
According to Muftuoglu, if the Iraqi police had not
intervened, the other 4 passengers of the car would have been
shot to death as fire was opened up from the right front of
the car after the vehicle stopped and there was no threat
from the vehicle. Muftuoglu was injured in the legs.

Furthermore, there are allegations to the effect that
American soldiers had drunk alcohol.

The mentioned persons brought the car to the Embassy of
Turkey in Baghdad. The results of the investigation made by
the Embassy officials in Baghdad shows that the car was shot
in its right side after it stopped.

The mentioned Turkish national,s right to indemnity on the
way he was killed is preserved.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkish Republic requests
the Embassy provide information to the Turkish side after the
completion of related investigations within the shortest
possible time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic
avails itself of the opportunity to renew to the Embassy of
the USA the assurances of its highest consideration.

4. Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN

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