SITUATION REPORT AS OF 1130 GMT 14 APRIL 2007:

UNCLAS RABAT 000656

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
TERREP

DEPARTMENT FOR S/S-O

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC CASC AMGT
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT AS OF 1130 GMT 14 APRIL 2007:
SUICIDE BOMBINGS NEAR USG FACILITIES IN CASABLANCA


Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) At approximately 0900 GMT on Saturday April 14 two
suicide bombers detonated the explosives they were carrying
at two locations on Boulevard Moulay Yousef in central
Casablanca. One detonation occurred near a police van
stationed diagonally across the street from the Consulate
General. The other occurred in front of the American
Language Center down the street from the Consulate General.
As of 1030, Consul-General Casablanca advised the DCM that a
body, presumably that of the bomber, was still in the street
in front of the ALC. There are reports of a second fatality,
presumably that of the other bomber. All American personnel
of the Consulate General are safe and accounted for and have
been advised to remain at home. The Consulate General is
currently contacting all locally engaged employees. A
substantial police deployment has fanned out to search for
any possible additional bombers and secure the neighborhood.



2. (SBU) The Embassy legal attache and RSO are en route to
Casablanca and in contact with Moroccan police authorities.
Moroccan authorities have asked the Consulate General for
access to surveillance tapes of the street in front of the
Consulate. Consulate General personnel are currently working
to access those tapes.



3. (SBU) Local guard force personnel stationed at the ALC,
Dar America, and the Consulate General are accounted for and
currently inside the buildings.



4. (SBU) The Ambassador has spoken by phone with General
Idriss Charki, commander of the national police force and
requested additional police protection for the
Consulate-General and U.S. Embassy facilities in Rabat. The
DCM has activated the U.S. Embassy's phone tree to account
for Embassy personnel. The Consular Chief, Casablanca, is
preparing a warden message for the American Community in
Morocco. The American club in Rabat has been closed for the
day as a precautionary measure.



5. (SBU) The DCM has conferred with the Director of the Rabat
American School, where many students are currently engaged in
Saturday morning little league practice and other activities.
ARSO, currently at the school, coordinated with local
authorities for additional police and local guard protection
for the school.


6. (SBU) The DCM has convened the Embassy's Emergency Action
Committee in Rabat with phone participation of the Consul
General in Casablanca at 1200 noon GMT.


******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************

RILEY