SUSPENSION OF COURIER POUCH OPERATIONS TO PESHAWAR

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002511 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WRDCD; SCA/EX AND IRM/OPS BANGKOK FOR BRDCD FRANKFURT FOR FRDCD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ADCO ADPM AMGT SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF COURIER POUCH OPERATIONS TO PESHAWAR ¶1. (SBU) Islamabad is currently the hub for all Diplomatic Courier material that is destined for Peshawar. Over the last year, Post has encountered problems transporting pouches from Islamabad to Peshawar. Since the bombing of the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Post has had difficulties getting cargo vehicle clearance to take courier material from Islamabad to Peshawar. At present, there are over 30 pieces backed up at the Bangkok Courier Office for Peshawar. We've also been told that there are pieces in Washington that are being held for onward delivery since we cannot provide courier service to Peshawar. ¶2. (SBU) The only allowed transport available is via FAV Toyota Land Cruiser. The cargo space is very limited. Coordination of logistics, security requirements, movements and motor pool exacerbates an already difficult operation. ¶3. (SBU) Movement via cargo vehicle is logistically difficult because it requires coordination with local authorities and the Consulate's security support staff. The cargo vehicle is not armored so it increases the risk for our local staff moving through Peshawar. In order to manage regular service to Peshawar, it is also difficult to make the runs required without establishing a pattern that would heighten our profile and compromise the security of our personnel and security personnel. ¶4. (U) Receiving large crates and pouches is difficult for the Consulate in Peshawar to deal with. They have very limited CAA space and growing requirements. They have no designated space where they can deal with received courier material and logically organize, store and distribute material. They currently have a small locked closet designated as their "vault" but that is simply storage and can only contain a few bags at best. Processing the material in the courier pouch vault in Islamabad ensures the proper receipt of material and guarantees the integrity of the process to distribution of receiving offices. ¶5. (SBU) In light of the security conditions and logistical challenges faced here, Islamabad requests the immediate suspension of all courier pouch material and service for Peshawar. The alternative procedure will be for each customer to send items addressed to the parent office in Embassy Islamabad. Those offices will receive their courier material here and will be responsible for getting the material to Peshawar utilizing space available on their routine trips to Peshawar. The courier operation in Islamabad will assist if classified material needs to be repacked and dispatched for non-professional courier delivery by their offices. ¶6. (U) This telegram has been coordinated with our customers at Post and Post Management. Patterson