KABUL MEDIA REACTION: RECENT SUICIDE BOMBINGS

UNCLAS KABUL 003436 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, SCA/PPD, S/CRS, S/CT, EUR/RPM, INL/CIVPOL, INR/R/MR, STATE FOR NSC WOOD, OSD FOR SHIVERS, CENTCOM FOR CSTC-A, CG CJTF-82, POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL AF SUBJECT: KABUL MEDIA REACTION: RECENT SUICIDE BOMBINGS ¶1. SUMMARY: Media commentators expressed grave concerns about what a spate of suicide bombing attacks in Kabul in the last week means for the nation's security. Editorials condemned the attacks, expressed a lack of faith in the Afghan government's ability to deal with the increased threat, and outrage that the attacks took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. END SUMMARY. ¶2. An unsigned editorial in the Oct. 3 edition of Anis, a government-sponsored daily, read: "Yesterday morning the terrorists or the enemies of Islam and peace committed another felony by fiercely targeting children, women, elders, and ANP (Afghan National Police) personnel. These activities are against Islamic bonds and they are rejected by all means ... We should all put forth greater efforts in the prevention of the security situation's move towards vulnerability, and should stop the terrorists from repeating the tragedies of past years once again while the risk of their growth is felt to be increasing day by day." ¶3. An unsigned editorial in the Oct. 3 edition of Rahenejat, an independent daily, read: "In a period of less than a week two suicide attacks took place in capital city of Kabul targeting those responsible for sustaining security and prevention of such attacks. These incidents take place in the holy month of Ramadan, which is known as the month of sympathy, forgiveness and generosity... The occurrence of such incidents in the capital city seriously undermines the efforts to sustain security by national and international security forces. The reforms in ANP and other security administrations are taking place without an assessment of current security conditions which has resulted in the failure of security officials to prevent the aforementioned incidents. "On the other hand, police and military uniforms are sold in any shop without any restrictions, even foreign security forces' high ranking official's uniforms are sold in shops, which the terrorists and armed robbers use for committing crime in different ways. All these factors are causing a lack of security, and instability, all over the country and the necessity for a new and well-assessed security strategy is felt more than anything else in the country." ¶4. An unsigned editorial in Hewad, a government-run daily, on Oct. 3, read: "Terrorists committed another felony yesterday morning by the suicide attack on the ANP personnel bus which resulted in the death of 10 and the serious injury of 17 Afghans. Yesterday suicides once again proved that terrorists do not have any respect for people's spiritual values. Ramadan is a month of prayers and a true Muslim should avoid any kind of violence. The terrorists want to spread fear among the nation and to reach their goals they will not spare any sort crime or felony. "We urge Afghan security forces and foreign security forces to review the current security measures and come up with new tactics to prevent terrorists from entering the country and targeting both civilian and military personnel." WOOD