Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
08ISLAMABAD3076 | 2008-09-21 04:50:00 | SECRET | Embassy Islamabad |
VZCZCXRO7655 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #3076/01 2650450 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 210450Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8898 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 9167 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8729 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3801 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0362 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 6104 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4915 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY |
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 003076 |
1. (C) As of September 22, 1000 hours (local time), two TDY staff remain missing. Pakistani media report at least 60 dead and over 200 injured. Media also reports that the Marriott hotel is structurally compromised and may collapse. 1200 kilos of explosives were used in the attack. Due to extreme heat of fires throughout the building, rescue workers had only just begun searching the building for the at least 15 people known missing. A joint investigation team led by the Federal Investigation Agency has been formed and has begun collecting evidence. Pakistani media reports stepped up security at government buildings and other sensitive facilities in Karachi and Peshawar. Islamabad remains calm but extra security patrols/checks are reported along the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway. No groups have come forward to claim responsibility for the bombing. 2. (U) President Asif Ali Zardari spoke to the nation September 21 at 0200 (local time) and said of the attack "the nation will not bow down to the menace of terrorism." In his 2-minute speech, Zardari also said: "Terrorism will not dampen our resolve against it." He called the attackers "cowards," who had turned a day of joy into sorrow, alluding to his address to a joint session of parliament September 20 afternoon. He continued: "These were not acts of (real) Muslims." He also promised the GOP would compensate the victims' families. 3. (C) At 0900 post held a an EAC meeting. Results of the meeting will be reported septel. 4. (S) Ambassador spoke via telephone with Interior Minister Rehman Malik twice in the morning. Malik reported that the attack had the same signature as one used against Inter-Services Intelligence buses a few months ago. It was a very sophisticated bomb, packed with accelerants and debris. Malik has personnel in the hotel looking for post's missing staff. He said they had previous threat reporting suggesting Baitullah Mehsud, or the sophistication could indicate an Al Qaeda link. 5. (C) A medevac flight left Chaklala Airbase for Bagram on September 21 at 0730 carrying one patient and the deceased. Both individuals are from ODRP. The body will be transferred to Dover and the patient's onward destination will be determined after examinations. ODRP Chief Admiral Lefever said that if the two missing are later found to be deceased, any remains should be placed in an identified body bag, at which point military medevac will be made available to return the remains to Dover for forensic identification. Sixteen official Americans were treated at the Embassy's Health Unit and released. One USAID contractor and one RAO individual remain hospitalized at Shifa Hospital in Islamabad. One DHS individual will be sent to London on Monday morning, September 23, for further treatment. 6. (C) The exact number of private Americans at the hotel is still not known. Post is working with the three-day old guest list to try to contact all possible Americans. One private American working with an NGO suffered head injuries in the attack. She is currently in stable condition at Shifa International Hospital, and her NGO will assist with medical evacuation if required. Consular remains in touch with several other private AmCits who have contacted Post to report that they left the hotel with no passports or other belongings. Post plans to open the Consular Section for passport and other non-emergency services later Sunday morning. 7. (C) AmConsul Peshawar remains on lockdown with mission-essential movements only authorized. Sixteen TDY personnel have been moved out of the Pearl Continental Hotel and into private residences. The Consulate will hold an EAC at 1100 hours (local time) and will be open for business on Monday, September 22, however employees are being encouraged to work from home and limit movements to and from the Consulate to the minimum necessary. AmConsuls Lahore and ISLAMABAD 00003076 002 OF 002 Karachi will also hold EAC meetings at 1100 hours. PATTERSON |