Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD2334
2007-05-25 09:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
RED MOSQUE RELEASES POLICE OFFICERS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002334
SIPDIS
////////COLLECTIVE ADDED/////////
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC PGOV PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE RELEASES POLICE OFFICERS
REF: ISLAMABAD 2270
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002334
SIPDIS
////////COLLECTIVE ADDED/////////
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC PGOV PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE RELEASES POLICE OFFICERS
REF: ISLAMABAD 2270
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) On May 24, the Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) brigade
released the last two police officers kidnapped on May 18.
The other two officers had been released on May 19. (Note.
The Red Mosque "brigade" is a group of supporters and
madrassa students who are often seen outside the mosque
wielding large bamboo poles. End note.) According to press
reports and embassy contacts, back-channel negotiations
between the Islamabad administration and the mosque leaders
resulted in the officers' release. Interior Ministry
spokesman Brigadier Javel Iqbal Cheema told the press that
the two men were released unconditionally and no/no
reciprocal promises were made to the Red Mosque clerics.
Islamabad Chief Commissioner Khalid Pervez told PolOff that
by arresting upwards of 40 madrassa students authorities
applied substantial pressure on the mosque, which ultimately
led to the peaceful release of the police officers.
2. (C) The streets surrounding the mosque are open and quiet,
as they have been since May 20 (reftel). Embassy employees
confirm that no police officers or any madrassa students are
standing outside the Red Mosque. The only massing of police
forces in the area was observed on May 20, almost a week ago.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police has assured PolOff that
the force outside the mosque on May 20 was a show of strength
and that the police were cognizant of the sensitivity of the
situation. No police raid or operation took place and the
police withdrew after a few hours, once it became clear the
two police officers inside the mosque would eventually be
released.
3. (C) Journalists who regularly meet with the Red Mosque
clerics emphasized to us that the mosque leadership is
interested in pursuing negotiations. Our contacts tell us
that, occasional inflammatory rhetoric aside, they do not
anticipate violence emanating from the mosque as long as the
police continue showing restraint. (Note. The Red Mosque
issue, though followed colorfully and breathlessly by the
press, has been of relatively minor concern amongst Pakistani
politicians and the public. Most see the recurring antics of
the Red Mosque as a distraction from larger political issues
facing the country. End Note.)
BODDE
SIPDIS
////////COLLECTIVE ADDED/////////
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC PGOV PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE RELEASES POLICE OFFICERS
REF: ISLAMABAD 2270
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) On May 24, the Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) brigade
released the last two police officers kidnapped on May 18.
The other two officers had been released on May 19. (Note.
The Red Mosque "brigade" is a group of supporters and
madrassa students who are often seen outside the mosque
wielding large bamboo poles. End note.) According to press
reports and embassy contacts, back-channel negotiations
between the Islamabad administration and the mosque leaders
resulted in the officers' release. Interior Ministry
spokesman Brigadier Javel Iqbal Cheema told the press that
the two men were released unconditionally and no/no
reciprocal promises were made to the Red Mosque clerics.
Islamabad Chief Commissioner Khalid Pervez told PolOff that
by arresting upwards of 40 madrassa students authorities
applied substantial pressure on the mosque, which ultimately
led to the peaceful release of the police officers.
2. (C) The streets surrounding the mosque are open and quiet,
as they have been since May 20 (reftel). Embassy employees
confirm that no police officers or any madrassa students are
standing outside the Red Mosque. The only massing of police
forces in the area was observed on May 20, almost a week ago.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police has assured PolOff that
the force outside the mosque on May 20 was a show of strength
and that the police were cognizant of the sensitivity of the
situation. No police raid or operation took place and the
police withdrew after a few hours, once it became clear the
two police officers inside the mosque would eventually be
released.
3. (C) Journalists who regularly meet with the Red Mosque
clerics emphasized to us that the mosque leadership is
interested in pursuing negotiations. Our contacts tell us
that, occasional inflammatory rhetoric aside, they do not
anticipate violence emanating from the mosque as long as the
police continue showing restraint. (Note. The Red Mosque
issue, though followed colorfully and breathlessly by the
press, has been of relatively minor concern amongst Pakistani
politicians and the public. Most see the recurring antics of
the Red Mosque as a distraction from larger political issues
facing the country. End Note.)
BODDE