Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 51122 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 04ANKARA6258, SIGN OF IMPROVING RELATIONS -- TURKS FIGHT FIRE IN

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #04ANKARA6258.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
04ANKARA6258 2004-11-04 15:06 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Ankara
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ANKARA 006258 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECIN PREL SY TU
SUBJECT: SIGN OF IMPROVING RELATIONS -- TURKS FIGHT FIRE IN 
SYRIA 
 
 
1.  Turkish officials over the past year have spoken often of 
improving relations with Syria.  But so far it has been 
mostly talk, until October 27, when in a surprising show of 
cooperation, Syria asked for and Turkey delivered planes and 
fire fighters to put out a blaze along the border of Turkey's 
Hatay province, which as recently as 1998, looked to be on 
the front lines of a war between the two countries over 
Syria's protection of PKK units and leaders. 
 
2.  On October 26, a serious fire broke out in Latakia 
province, which borders the Turkish province of Hatay. 
Syrian officials were forced to evacuate 25 villages and 
needed help to control the blaze.  Hasan Ipek, head of 
Turkey's Emergency Management Agency told us Syrian Prime 
Minister Al-Utri called Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan that 
night asking for help.  Erdogan authorized Ipek to arrange 
for three planes from the Turkish Army, two Forest Service 
helicopters and other equipment and personnel to be sent to 
Syria.  After the two foreign ministries worked out details 
to allow the Turkish planes to cross into Syria, at 5:00 am 
the equipment and personnel were on their way to Syria.  By 
10:00 am, the fire was out. 
EDELMAN