INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Kabul Media Reaction: Recent Suicide Bombings

Published: Mon 8 Oct 2007 12:13 PM
VZCZCXRO3668
OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #3436 2811213
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081213Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0803
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3677
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4228
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUHEHMS/COMUSMARCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
UNCLAS KABUL 003436
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, SCA/PPD, S/CRS, S/CT,
EUR/RPM, INL/CIVPOL, INR/R/MR, STATE FOR NSC WOOD, OSD FOR SHIVERS,
CENTCOM FOR CSTC-A, CG CJTF-82, POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: KABUL MEDIA REACTION: RECENT SUICIDE BOMBINGS
1. SUMMARY: Media commentators expressed grave concerns about what a
spate of suicide bombing attacks in Kabul in the last week means for
the nation's security. Editorials condemned the attacks, expressed a
lack of faith in the Afghan government's ability to deal with the
increased threat, and outrage that the attacks took place during the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan. END SUMMARY.
2. An unsigned editorial in the Oct. 3 edition of Anis, a
government-sponsored daily, read: "Yesterday morning the terrorists
or the enemies of Islam and peace committed another felony by
fiercely targeting children, women, elders, and ANP (Afghan National
Police) personnel. These activities are against Islamic bonds and
they are rejected by all means ... We should all put forth greater
efforts in the prevention of the security situation's move towards
vulnerability, and should stop the terrorists from repeating the
tragedies of past years once again while the risk of their growth is
felt to be increasing day by day."
3. An unsigned editorial in the Oct. 3 edition of Rahenejat, an
independent daily, read: "In a period of less than a week two
suicide attacks took place in capital city of Kabul targeting those
responsible for sustaining security and prevention of such attacks.
These incidents take place in the holy month of Ramadan, which is
known as the month of sympathy, forgiveness and generosity... The
occurrence of such incidents in the capital city seriously
undermines the efforts to sustain security by national and
international security forces. The reforms in ANP and other security
administrations are taking place without an assessment of current
security conditions which has resulted in the failure of security
officials to prevent the aforementioned incidents.
"On the other hand, police and military uniforms are sold in any
shop without any restrictions, even foreign security forces' high
ranking official's uniforms are sold in shops, which the terrorists
and armed robbers use for committing crime in different ways. All
these factors are causing a lack of security, and instability, all
over the country and the necessity for a new and well-assessed
security strategy is felt more than anything else in the country."
4. An unsigned editorial in Hewad, a government-run daily, on Oct.
3, read: "Terrorists committed another felony yesterday morning by
the suicide attack on the ANP personnel bus which resulted in the
death of 10 and the serious injury of 17 Afghans. Yesterday suicides
once again proved that terrorists do not have any respect for
people's spiritual values. Ramadan is a month of prayers and a true
Muslim should avoid any kind of violence. The terrorists want to
spread fear among the nation and to reach their goals they will not
spare any sort crime or felony.
"We urge Afghan security forces and foreign security forces to
review the current security measures and come up with new tactics to
prevent terrorists from entering the country and targeting both
civilian and military personnel."
WOOD
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