Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD2270
2007-05-21 12:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
how-toVZCZCXRO5488 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHIL #2270 1411241 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211241Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9263 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 2430 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0154 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 4198 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 1310 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 2081 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7126 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 8309 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0977 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 3162 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 6073 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 2372 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 0706 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2343 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002270
SIPDIS
///COLLECTIVE ADDED///////////////
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE ISSUE FLARES UP AGAIN
REF: ISLAMABAD 1846
Classified By: DCM Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002270
SIPDIS
///COLLECTIVE ADDED///////////////
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE ISSUE FLARES UP AGAIN
REF: ISLAMABAD 1846
Classified By: DCM Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In what has become a recurring spectacle in Islamabad,
mosque supporters and seminary students-- better known as the
Red Mosque brigade-- have again "kidnapped" police to draw
attention to their demands. On May 18, the Red Mosque (Lal
Masjid) "brigade" captured four plain-clothes police officers
outside the mosque and held them as ransom for the release of
eleven religious students associated with the Red Mosque.
(Note. The eleven students had been arrested earlier on
various charges, including raiding video shops. End Note.)
Mosque leader Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi accused the police
of spying on the mosque and threatened violence in response.
(Note. Press contacts who meet regularly with Maulana Ghazi
have reported that he is likely bluffing on the threat of
violence and wants to pursue negotiations. End Note.)
2. (C) On May 19, according to police contacts two of the
policemen were released and the remaining two were still in
custody but unharmed. Four of the original eleven students
held by police were granted bail on May 19 and are in the
process of being released.
3. (C) On May 20, heavy contingents of police surrounded the
mosque as high-level negotiations for the release of the
policemen continued. The police also arrested 37 religious
students who were wielding sticks and blocking traffic as a
"preventive measure". By Sunday evening the situation had
de-escalated as police ranks moved away from the Red Mosque,
surrounding roads were reopened, and nearby markets opened
for business.
4. (C) As of 1700 on May 21, the Red Mosque brigade continues
to hold two police officers and demand the release of the
remaining seven students that are in police custody. Maulana
Ghazi claims 2000 male students are surrounding the mosque,
however, journalists estimate the number as far fewer. Most
banners have been removed from the mosque and there are far
fewer visible supporters than in recent days. The students
continue to carry bamboo poles and some inside have AK-47s,
according to press and police contacts. The number of police
and rangers in Islamabad has been increased by as many as
10,000 on reserve. Police contacts report that their strategy
remains a measured and deliberate one; the police are willing
to wait out the mosque supporters. Concern about the women
and children inside the mosque remains a key factor and the
police will not take any rash actions. The Interior Ministry
continues to engage the leadership of the Red Mosque and
Maulana Ghazi has told the press that the mosque leadership
is still open to negotiations. Post continues to monitor the
Red Mosque situation very closely and will report septel on
the political implications of this latest stand-off.
BODDE
SIPDIS
///COLLECTIVE ADDED///////////////
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE ISSUE FLARES UP AGAIN
REF: ISLAMABAD 1846
Classified By: DCM Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In what has become a recurring spectacle in Islamabad,
mosque supporters and seminary students-- better known as the
Red Mosque brigade-- have again "kidnapped" police to draw
attention to their demands. On May 18, the Red Mosque (Lal
Masjid) "brigade" captured four plain-clothes police officers
outside the mosque and held them as ransom for the release of
eleven religious students associated with the Red Mosque.
(Note. The eleven students had been arrested earlier on
various charges, including raiding video shops. End Note.)
Mosque leader Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi accused the police
of spying on the mosque and threatened violence in response.
(Note. Press contacts who meet regularly with Maulana Ghazi
have reported that he is likely bluffing on the threat of
violence and wants to pursue negotiations. End Note.)
2. (C) On May 19, according to police contacts two of the
policemen were released and the remaining two were still in
custody but unharmed. Four of the original eleven students
held by police were granted bail on May 19 and are in the
process of being released.
3. (C) On May 20, heavy contingents of police surrounded the
mosque as high-level negotiations for the release of the
policemen continued. The police also arrested 37 religious
students who were wielding sticks and blocking traffic as a
"preventive measure". By Sunday evening the situation had
de-escalated as police ranks moved away from the Red Mosque,
surrounding roads were reopened, and nearby markets opened
for business.
4. (C) As of 1700 on May 21, the Red Mosque brigade continues
to hold two police officers and demand the release of the
remaining seven students that are in police custody. Maulana
Ghazi claims 2000 male students are surrounding the mosque,
however, journalists estimate the number as far fewer. Most
banners have been removed from the mosque and there are far
fewer visible supporters than in recent days. The students
continue to carry bamboo poles and some inside have AK-47s,
according to press and police contacts. The number of police
and rangers in Islamabad has been increased by as many as
10,000 on reserve. Police contacts report that their strategy
remains a measured and deliberate one; the police are willing
to wait out the mosque supporters. Concern about the women
and children inside the mosque remains a key factor and the
police will not take any rash actions. The Interior Ministry
continues to engage the leadership of the Red Mosque and
Maulana Ghazi has told the press that the mosque leadership
is still open to negotiations. Post continues to monitor the
Red Mosque situation very closely and will report septel on
the political implications of this latest stand-off.
BODDE