Cablegate: Second Threat Letter Received by Embassy Officer

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

UNCLAS ANKARA 005064

SIPDIS

DS COMMAND CENTER, DS/ITA, DS/IP/EUR, S/CT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER TU
SUBJECT: SECOND THREAT LETTER RECEIVED BY EMBASSY OFFICER

REF: ANKARA 4939

1. (SBU) On August 29, 2005 Embassy Deputy Political
Officer Charles Blaha received a threatening letter, written
in Arabic, similar to the letter received by post's Political
Military Counselor (then Acting DCM) (reftel) on August 22,
2005. The letter was received by Blaha through the embassy
mail room on August 24 or 25, but was not opened until August
29. The letter was post marked August 20 from Ataturk
airport in Istanbul. The letter was sent using an envelope
from the "Swiss Hotel - The Bosphorus", in Istanbul. The
letter was addressed to:

Mr. Charles BLAHA
Ataturk Bulvari. No.110
Kavaklidere
Ankara

2. (SBU) The following is a translation of the letter.

In the Name of God the Beneficent and Merciful

"Kill them and God will punish them with your hands. He will
bring dishonor to them and let you triumph over them. The
legions of believers will see (this happen) and the wrath of
their hearts will go forth. God will forgive those he deems
worthy, and God is just to them."

"For the flag of Jihad will be raised, waving over Turkey, to
marshal you one by one in city after city...and the martyrs
have actually prepared for you this time especially...they
will hunt down your wives and your children (sons) in their
homes and in their schools wherever they are...and there will
be no safe place for you in this country or in any other
country in the world..."

"And our date (date of the Mujahidin to take action) is
(coming) soon...very soon".

3. (SBU) The letter was in Kufi type written font using
Modern Standard Arabic. The dialect appears to be someone
native to Saudi-Gulf Arabic. As in the first letter, the
author appears to be someone who has a religious vocabulary
and studies the Quran.

4. (SBU) RSO has forwarded the envelope and letter to the
Turkish National Police Intelligence Division for further
investigation. Because of the reference to the school the
Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) has been
briefed on the threat. The DODDs school which is located on
Balgat base opened today for the new school year. RSO will
also brief other schools where Embassy children are enrolled
in the coming days.

5. (SBU) Point of contact is RSO Janet Sabo at
90-312-455-5555 ext. 2348.

MCELDOWNEY

© Scoop Media