PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF CONDEMNS AL-ASKARIYA SHRINE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003208 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2015 TAGS: IZ KDEM KPAO PGOV PK PREL PTER PAS SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF CONDEMNS AL-ASKARIYA SHRINE BOMBING REF: STATE 28802 Classified By: DCM Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On February 23, 2006, per reftel instruction, PolCounselor contacted MFA Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam and MFA Americas Director General Sohail Mehmood to urge the Government of Pakistan (GOP) to issue a statement condemning the bombing of the al-Askariya Shrine. He also shared with the MFA the text of President Bush's statement and the joint statement by Ambassador Khalilizad and General Casey. ¶2. (U) On February 24, 2006, the MFA issues a press release with the text of a letter from President Musharraf to President Talabani condemning the bombing (full text of press release follows). (Begin text.) P.R. No. 74/2006 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Spokesperson) PRESS RELEASE The President has sent the following message to the President of the Republic of Iraq on the bombing of the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali al-Hadi, and the resulting violence in the country. QUOTE Message from the President Excellency, On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, I convey our deep shock and condemnation of the bombing of the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali al-Hadi resulting in its severe damage. We are gravely concerned at the ensuing communal strife in which scores of mosques have been attacked, and which has claimed over one hundred lives. We sincerely hope that the spiralling tension and hostility is soon brought under control and calm is restored. I avail of this opportunity to convey our prayers for the peace and prosperity of the brotherly people of Iraq. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. (General Pervez Musharraf) President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H.E. Jalal Talabani President of the Republic of Iraq UNQUOTE Islamabad February 24, 2006 (End text.) CROCKER