ISLAMABAD EAC MEETING 09/23/08

S E C R E T ISLAMABAD 003106 NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018 TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC PK SUBJECT: ISLAMABAD EAC MEETING 09/23/08 REF: A. ISLAMABAD 3096 ¶B. ISLAMABAD 3078 Classified By: DCM Gerald M. Feierstein for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (SBU) DCM chaired the EAC on 09/23/08 to review Mission security posture. All sections/agencies were represented. ¶2. (S/NF) RSO briefed EAC on the status of the recovery efforts at the Marriott. A joint inter-agency team got access to and searched the upper floors of the Marriott on 9/23. The team did not discover the remains of our missing employee. The consensus of the team is the Marriott has been searched and the potential for discovering any additional bodies at the site are slim. The next step for the Mission is to send DNA samples of the unidentified bodies still remaining from the Marriott attack for appropriate testing. ODRP is coordinating this effort. Post continues to canvass hospitals and morgues to identify all possible remains for samples and testing purposes. LEGATT advised they are beginning the interview process of all Mission personnel that were present at the scene for their investigative purpose. RSO reported a joint DS/FBI team is enroute to Islamabad to assist with post-blast investigation. ¶3. (SBU) DCM and MGT reported on the favorable M response to our request for prefabricated housing to support the large TDY contingent in Islamabad. Post continues with our efforts to conduct preliminary surveys on the compound to support the housing. ¶4. (S/NF) Intelligence reporting, and also news media reporting, indicate a number of suicide bomber threats that continue to impact the security climate. The loss of the Marriot has made the Serena Hotel (the only other hotel considered "safe" for Mission personnel in Islamabad) a possible next target. EAC decided to suspend use of the Serena for TDY visitors. Additionally, the hotel and its restaurants are off-limits for Mission personnel. The EAC put all restaurants off-limits through the coming Eid. ¶5. (S/NF) The EAC discussed the hotel arrangements for TDY personnel in Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore. The EAC determined that the Marriott in Karachi and the Pearl Continental fall in the same vulnerability category as the Serena and that the respective consulates would suspend use of them. Embassy expects these hotels to be vacated by USG personnel by Thursday. The EAC determined hotel situation in Lahore remains manageable, with a choice of three appropriate (non-western chain) hotels and minimal visitors spread among them. The EAC did not recommend a change to Lahore's TDY policy at this time. ¶6. (S/NF) The EAC reaffirmed Mission policy on visitors: each visit will be carefully scrutinized and only essential travel authorized (full reporting septel). For those TDY personnel cleared to travel, lodging will be provided from existing housing pool assets. To extent possible, visitors will be encouraged not to overnight in Pakistan. In addition, visiting delegations will be strictly limited to four individuals. This highlights the importance of the prefabricated TDY housing for long-term Mission efficiency. ¶7. (SBU) CONS and RSO will draft appropriate changes to Travel Warning and Consular Information Sheet to reflect current security conditions and Mission guidance. PATTERSON