C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000657

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
TERREP

DEPARTMENT FOR S/S-O, DS AND NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2017
TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC AMGT MO
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT AS OF 1500 GMT 14 APRIL 2007:
SUICIDE BOMBINGS NEAR USG FACILITIES IN CASABLANCA

REF: RABAT 656

Classified by DCM Wayne Bush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) The DCM convened the Embassy's Emergency Action
Committee at 1145 GMT to review information and next steps
following the detonation of two suicide bombs near the U.S.
Consulate General and the American Language Center in
Casablanca at approximately 0900 GMT on April 14.
Consul-General Casablanca participated in the EAC by
telephone. A summary of the latest information we have
obtained follows:



2. (SBU) There are currently no known fatalities or major
injuries beyond the two bombers, who are both confirmed dead.
The first bomber detonated his device across the street from
the U.S. Consulate-General, near the point where visa
applicants sometimes queue for screening. Since it was
Saturday morning, the consular section was not/not open at
the time. There was no damage to the Consulate-General. By
midday, authorities were using firehoses to wash away blood
and body parts in the immediate vicinity in an effort to
restore the appearance of normalcy.


3. (C) LEGAT and RSO are on the scene and liaising with
security contacts in Casablanca. They and CONGEN are
reviewing security camera footage of the incident, which is
being shared with police. Police contacts report their
investigation has been expanded to Sidi Moumen, the slum area
where the March 11 bombing incident occurred. Police sources
indicated they believe the bombers were dropped off by
separate vehicles.


4. (C) There are reports that an undetermined number of other
persons, possibly with explosives, were arrested at other
locations in the vicinity.


5. (SBU) According to the Director of the American Language
Center (ALC), the second bomber attempted to enter the ALC,
which was open, but was turned away by guards because he did
not have a student i.d. He reportedly cursed the guards,
crossed the street, and detonated his device. Some of the
ALC's mylar-coated windows were cracked. Police sealed the
ALC for several hours but were allowing staff and students
inside to leave the building by 1200 GMT. The ALC will
remain closed for several days pending a security review.


6. (SBU) All USG personnel in Casablanca have been accounted
for. USG personnel in Casablanca have been advised to remain
home for the time being. The phone tree has been used to
notify all U.S. personnel at U.S. Embassy Rabat.


7. (SBU) The Ambassador and Mission officers have been in
touch with senior and working level GOM security contacts to
request additional protection for USG facilities in
Casablanca and Rabat. Boulevard Moulay Yousef, in front of
the Consulate-General, has been closed but several
perpendicular streets nearby are still open. The streets and
square adjacent to the American Language Center have been
blocked off.


8. (SBU) The Rabat American School has closed its campus for
the rest of the day and tomorrow, Sunday. An inter-city
soccer tournament at the Casablanca American school has also
been cancelled. The A/RSO is meeting with the Rabat American
School Director and police officials to assess security in
the area surrounding the school.


9. (SBU) The Mission has distributed a warden message
advising AMCITS in Morocco of the latest developments and
recommending that all AMCITS review their personal security
and remain vigilant.


10. (SBU) The DCM will reconvene the EAC at 1700 GMT to
review latest developments and consider further steps.

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