Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD3096
2008-09-22 13:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
SITREP 05, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: DEATH TOLL RISES;
how-toVZCZCXRO8273 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #3096 2661330 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221330Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8996 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 9176 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8746 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3812 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0375 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 6117 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4928 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 4412 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003096
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL AMGT CACS ASEC PTER PINR
SUBJECT: SITREP 05, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: DEATH TOLL RISES;
POST OPERATIONS RESUME; MOI BLAMES TTP
REF: ISLAMABAD 3080
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003096
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL AMGT CACS ASEC PTER PINR
SUBJECT: SITREP 05, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: DEATH TOLL RISES;
POST OPERATIONS RESUME; MOI BLAMES TTP
REF: ISLAMABAD 3080
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) As of September 22, 1800 hours (local),two Embassy
personnel are confirmed deceased, one remains missing. One
Embassy contractor remains at Shifa Hospital, Islamabad, for
observation; one Embassy official was mil medevaced at 0100
hours.
2. (C) In total, approximately 95 Pakistanis and foreign
nationals are still at four local hospitals; 176 have been
treated and released. Authorities continue to search the
Marriott Hotel for victims and remains.
3. (C) Embassy's Consular Section issued September 21
emergency passports for two official Americans for emergency
medevac purposes, and on September 22, emergency passports
for four official Americans and for two private American
citizens. Post returned to normal operating status September
22 (Monday),but restictions which bar all U.S. Embassy
personnel from restaurants and allow shopping only for
necessary items remain in effect. Islambad remains quiet as
clean-up operations at the Marriott continue; part of the
Marriott building was still smoldering. Local police have
blocked Constitution Avenue from through traffic.
4. (C) Interior Minister Rehman Malik called the Ambassador
September 22 early morning to relay reports that 11 suicide
bombers departed from the tribal areas for unspecified
locations. Malik criticized the emergency response to the
September 20 Marriott bombing and expressed his committment
to augment Islamabad Police around the capital with
paramilitary Rangers. Malik added he plans to increase
security around the diplomatic enclave, where the Embassy is
located, after conducting a spot check there on Sunday night.
5. (C) Malik claimed to have tried to dispel a September 21
The International News article that rumored the attack had
targeted alleged "top secret" activities by U.S. Marines at
the Marriott; Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani has also denounced
such reports. The News printed a front-page clarification
after Embassy intervention with the editor. While noting the
attack investigations were underway, Malik stated in a
September 21 press conference: "All roads lead to the FATA,"
suggesting that the South Waziristan-based Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) and/or al-Qaeda conducted the attack. PM
Gilani is quoted as saying the GOP would accept help with the
investigation from the FBI "if needed."
6. (SBU) Local editorials continue to condemn the attack,
calling it Pakistan's 9/11 and urging those Pakistanis who
previously have opposed military action against the militants
to see the light.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL AMGT CACS ASEC PTER PINR
SUBJECT: SITREP 05, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: DEATH TOLL RISES;
POST OPERATIONS RESUME; MOI BLAMES TTP
REF: ISLAMABAD 3080
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) As of September 22, 1800 hours (local),two Embassy
personnel are confirmed deceased, one remains missing. One
Embassy contractor remains at Shifa Hospital, Islamabad, for
observation; one Embassy official was mil medevaced at 0100
hours.
2. (C) In total, approximately 95 Pakistanis and foreign
nationals are still at four local hospitals; 176 have been
treated and released. Authorities continue to search the
Marriott Hotel for victims and remains.
3. (C) Embassy's Consular Section issued September 21
emergency passports for two official Americans for emergency
medevac purposes, and on September 22, emergency passports
for four official Americans and for two private American
citizens. Post returned to normal operating status September
22 (Monday),but restictions which bar all U.S. Embassy
personnel from restaurants and allow shopping only for
necessary items remain in effect. Islambad remains quiet as
clean-up operations at the Marriott continue; part of the
Marriott building was still smoldering. Local police have
blocked Constitution Avenue from through traffic.
4. (C) Interior Minister Rehman Malik called the Ambassador
September 22 early morning to relay reports that 11 suicide
bombers departed from the tribal areas for unspecified
locations. Malik criticized the emergency response to the
September 20 Marriott bombing and expressed his committment
to augment Islamabad Police around the capital with
paramilitary Rangers. Malik added he plans to increase
security around the diplomatic enclave, where the Embassy is
located, after conducting a spot check there on Sunday night.
5. (C) Malik claimed to have tried to dispel a September 21
The International News article that rumored the attack had
targeted alleged "top secret" activities by U.S. Marines at
the Marriott; Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani has also denounced
such reports. The News printed a front-page clarification
after Embassy intervention with the editor. While noting the
attack investigations were underway, Malik stated in a
September 21 press conference: "All roads lead to the FATA,"
suggesting that the South Waziristan-based Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) and/or al-Qaeda conducted the attack. PM
Gilani is quoted as saying the GOP would accept help with the
investigation from the FBI "if needed."
6. (SBU) Local editorials continue to condemn the attack,
calling it Pakistan's 9/11 and urging those Pakistanis who
previously have opposed military action against the militants
to see the light.
PATTERSON