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Diplomats ready to flee Islamabad
FOREIGN diplomats based in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, were reportedly preparing plans yesterday for an emergency evacuation as alarm grows over a resurgence of suicide bomb attacks by militants linked to al-Qa'ida and the Taliban.In the wake of Sunday night's devastating bomb blast in the heart of the capital, two of the country's leading newspapers said diplomats - already operating under heavy guard in a fortified diplomatic enclave - were discussing plans for emergency evacuations, should the need arise. For most countries represented in Islamabad, including Australia, the city is already a 'non-family' diplomatic post. A red alert was in force in Islamabad and other leading Pakistani cities last night, with strategic buildings and government offices under increased guard. Reports said plans for the emergency evacuation of diplomats were drawn up when 'Western embassies noticed unusual night-time activities of militants, some of whom had left messages against the foreigners and the Pakistani security forces in graffiti chalked on walls warning of (imminent) attacks'. Several foreign missions have significantly reduced staff, while others have abandoned their embassies and moved into heavily fortified hotels. Confirming the heightened security measures, one diplomat said: 'We have been advised to avoid going to market places, public parks, restaurants and other places.' Security officials blame Sunday night's bombing on the dominant Pakistan Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud. Optimism that the March election would usher in a new democratic spring of peace and reconciliation for Pakistan has been replaced by despondency, with many believing the situation is worse now than previously.
Posted by: 3dc 2008-07-09 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=243758 |