This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ANKARA 003157
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR PRM, E, EB, EUR/SE, NEA/NGA, AND IO
NSC FOR QUANRUD AND BRYZA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ETTC PREL TU IZ
SUBJECT: USG CONTRACTOR BEGINS TO EXPORT TURKISH LPG AND
GASOLINE TO IRAQ
REF: A) ANKARA 2915 B) KUWAIT 1825
1. (SBU) Summary: U.S. military contractor Kellogg, Brown,
and Root (KBR) has successfully delivered its first shipment
of Turkish Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and gasoline from
Turkey to Iraq, which will be donated as humanitarian
assistance to Iraqi civilians. The U.S. military has
contracted KBR to purchase and transport approximately 700
metric tons of LPG and one million gallons of benzine to Iraq
daily, seven days per week, for at least four weeks. The GOT
has thus far facilitated the purchase and transport of this
fuel, which should bring at least USD 40 million to the
Turkish economy. End summary.
2. (SBU) After receiving a task order from Task Force Restore
Iraqi Oil (TF Rio) o/a May 7, U.S. military contractor
Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) began arrangements to export
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and benzine (gasoline) from Turkey
to Northern Iraq (ref A). The task order authorizes KBR to
purchase LPG and gasoline commercially in Turkey and
transport it into Iraq to be donated as humanitarian
assistance to Iraqi civilians through TF Rio. KBR expects to
purchase and transport approximately 700 metric tons of LPG
and one million gallons of benzine to Iraq daily, seven days
per week, for at least four weeks. (Note: We understand
that TF Rio is likely to increase these quantities and the
duration of the operation. End note.) Embassy requested and
received from the Turkish MFA assurances that the GOT would
take steps to expedite the purchase and transport of this
humanitarian assistance to Iraq.
3. (SBU) The contractor estimates that exporting this amount
of LPG and benzine will require approximately 240 trucks per
day -- 40 trucks for the LPG, and 200 trucks for the benzine.
Although KBR expects it will take at least a week to arrange
daily export of these quantities, it launched a successful
trial run over the past three days. From May 10 to May 12,
93 trucks passed through Harbur Gate into Iraq: 54 trucks
carrying approximately 300,000 gallons of benzine, and 39
trucks carrying approximately 800 metric tons of LPG. We
understand there have been delays in loading the trucks in
Turkey as well as off-loading in Iraq, but it appears these
delays are part of the normal learning curve associated with
staging an operation of this size.
4. (U) The embassy issued a press release May 10 announcing
that the first convoy carrying humanitarian assistance LPG
and gasoline had crossed into Iraq from Turkey. The press
release notes that Turkey is cooperating with the U.S. in
providing this HA to the people of Iraq by facilitating the
passage of the vehicles. It also notes that the U.S. is
purchasing and transporting this fuel using Turkish firms,
and estimates the U.S. government will spend nearly USD 40
million in Turkey in the first month of this operation.
PEARSON