TERRORIST ATTACK ON SYMBOL OF KASHMIR BUS

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002604 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PK IN SUBJECT: TERRORIST ATTACK ON SYMBOL OF KASHMIR BUS REF: A. NEW DELHI 061237Z ¶B. NEW DELHI 2270 ¶1. This is an action request. See para 3. ¶2. The April 6 fidayeen (suicide) attack in Srinagar (Ref A) was targeted at the most significant Indo-Pak CBM in years, the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus, which is scheduled to travel April 7 for the first time in 58 years between Indian and Pakistani Kashmir. This is the latest in an escalating series of threats (Ref B) by terrorists seeking to prevent the bus, which enjoys massive popular support in J&K, from starting service. Politicians from across the Kashmiri political spectrum have condemned the attack, and insisted that the bus must go on April 7. ¶3. We request that the Department Spokesman issue the strongest possible condemnation of this attack, and provide the following suggested language: Begin suggested press guidance: -- The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the April 6 terrorist attack on the State Road Transport Corporation building and the Tourist Reception Center in Srinagar. -- This was a cynical attack on one of the most powerful symbols of rapproachement between India and Pakistan, the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, which is scheduled to begin service April 7 for the first time since 1947. -- We again applaud the leaders of India and Pakistan for their statesmanship in agreeing to this major step in mutual understanding. -- The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus has captured the imaginations of tens of thousands of Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, and of Indians and Pakistanis more broadly, as a symbol of peace. -- The bus is a major humanitarian undertaking designed to enable family reunification and people-to-people contact between Kashmiris, as well as Indians and Pakistanis. Terrorist groups attempting to stop this bus from plying are on the wrong side of history and will find that their efforts will fail. -- We offer our condolences to those civilians wounded in the attack, and our strong support to the governments of India and Pakistan as they work to ensure that this dream becomes a reality. End suggested guidance. MULFORD