KARACHI EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS THREATS IN KARACHI.

S E C R E T KARACHI 000113 NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2019 TAGS: ASEC PGOV PTER PK SUBJECT: KARACHI EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS THREATS IN KARACHI. Classified By: Classified by A/CG C. Rodriguez for reason 1.4 (b)(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Consulate Karachi Emergency Action Committee met on April 3 to discuss threat reporting pertaining to U.S. Diplomats in Pakistan and Karachi, as well as changes in the security profile at the hotels used by the Consulate. Present were ACG/MGT, POL/ECON/CON, RAO, RSO, IMO, CLO and MSG. The decision was taken to temporarily suspend use of the hotels in the city for overnight visitors as well as most meetings. The EAC will meet again next Friday to reassess. End Summary. ¶2. (C) For reasons that have yet to be fully explained, last week the Marriott hotel, Which is next to the Consulate and one of two hotels used by the Consulate to house visitors, reopened it's front driveway to vehicle traffic. This action greatly increased the hotels vulnerability to vehicular borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED). RSO has become aware, through meetings with security representatives from U.S. based companies, that the Avari hotel, the other hotel used by the Consulate, is fast becoming the Hotel of choice for U.S. business travelers. This is due to a belief, shared by the EAC, that the Avari has the best security. ¶3. (S) RAO has received information, specific to the Avari, which has caused them to remove their TDY personnel from that hotel. The EAC agreed it would be prudent for the other Consulate offices to do the same. ¶4. (C) The acting Consular Officer confirmed to the EAC there was little doubt a warden message would be required under the No Double Standard rule. ¶5. (C) Post will be able to phase-out American guests at the hotels over the next 24 hours and Pakistani guests in 48 hours. There will not be a "fire-drill" for current visitors. Future visitors will be housed in Post's residences and Post will be limited in the number of visitors it can support. Karachi will coordinate with Islamabad on a warden message. RODRIGUEZ