Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD3123
2008-09-24 15:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
MISSION PAKISTAN'S REVISED VISITOR POLICY
how-toVZCZCXRO0656 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #3123 2681507 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 241507Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9034 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 9188 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8767 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3824 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0388 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 6130 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4941 RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003123
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP ASEC PTER PK
SUBJECT: MISSION PAKISTAN'S REVISED VISITOR POLICY
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 3106
B. ISLAMABAD 3096
C. ISLAMABAD 3078
D. PESHAWAR 447
E. PESHAWAR 436
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003123
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP ASEC PTER PK
SUBJECT: MISSION PAKISTAN'S REVISED VISITOR POLICY
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 3106
¶B. ISLAMABAD 3096
¶C. ISLAMABAD 3078
¶D. PESHAWAR 447
¶E. PESHAWAR 436
¶1. (SBU) The September 20 attack on the Marriott Hotel in
Islamabad (Refs A-C),the August 26 attempted kidnapping of
the U.S. Principal Officer in Peshawar (Ref. E) and the
September 22 successful kidnapping of the Afghan
Ambassador-designate demonstrate the increasing size and
sophistication of attacks on U.S., diplomatic and western
targets in Pakistan. Credible reports of specific threats
against westerners are increasing.
¶2. (SBU) Therefore, in light of these new threat conditions,
U.S. Mission Pakistan makes the following changes to its
visitor policy until further notice:
A) Embassy will limit visitors (including congressional
delegations, staff delegations, executive branch officials
and TDY personnel) to those with Mission essential business
to conduct.
B) Embassy strongly requests no/no overnight visitors in
Pakistan. As described in Ref A, USG personnel, visitors and
contractors will no longer use hotels in Pakistan. Until
temporary housing can be constructed on the Embassy compound,
all visitors and TDY personnel will be accommodated in the
homes of Embassy personnel. (The Ambassador's residence will
hold a maximum of three guests at any given time.)
C) Congressional delegations and other groups of visitors
with Mission essential business are requested to limit their
party to four members. It might/might be possible on rare
occasions to host visitors of up to six members for a single
day visit (e.g.: arrive in the morning and depart the same
evening).
D) Requests for travel to Peshawar will be handled on a
case-by-case basis and will only be supported for those with
Mission essential business. (E.G.: Visitors simply wanting to
meet with the Northwest Frontier Province Governor and the
11th Corps Commander will be denied.)
E) There will be no/no trips to Miram Shah, Wana or other
places in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
¶3. (SBU) Embassy certainly recognizes the value of
congressional delegations and other visitors conducting
essential business and we will arrange overnight
accommodations for them if necessary. Post looks forward to
working with SCA, the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and the
interagency to prioritize visitors and ensure they have safe,
productive visits that further the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.
PATTERSON