Cablegate: Korean Rally Update, Friday 08-04-2006
VZCZCXRO1039
OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #3480 2161712
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041712Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1764
INFO RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 0048
RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFIUU/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2720
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2864
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 6197
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1548
UNCLAS KABUL 003480
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO (DAS GASTRIGHT), SCA/A, S/CRS,
SCA/PAB, S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/CDHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
OSD FOR BREZINSKI
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD
REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: CASC PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF KS
SUBJECT: Korean Rally Update, Friday 08-04-2006
REF: A) Kabul 3320 B) Kabul 3345 C) Kabul 3456 D)
State 125681 E) Kabul 3479
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The situation in Kabul and the
provinces with regard to the Korean groups remains
calm. Hundreds of Koreans were deported today
through Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat. Some groups of
Americans have been identified, contacted, and
offered assistance. We expect most will leave the
country on Saturday, August 5. There are no signs
indicating widespread demonstrations or violence for
Saturday, although as always, Kabul is not
completely secure. END SUMMARY.
AMERICAN CITIZENS
2. (SBU) Consular section continues to locate and
contact groups of Americans to check on their
welfare and safety. A group of 44 Americans and some
Canadian citizens are expected to return to Kabul
from Bamiyan tomorrow. Three groups of Americans
have already been contacted in Kabul, totaling
approximately 12. We have heard of more Amcits in
Kabul but are unable to confirm their location or
welfare. Some of the Americans have been told by the
GoA that they will be sent back to Dubai, their
transit city, tomorrow.
SECURITY
3. (SBU) The situation remains calm in Kabul, Herat,
Bamiyan, and Mazar-e-Sharif. There were no known
demonstrations today and no indications that they
will occur tomorrow. The MOI has created a detailed
and comprehensive plan in case of disruptions
tomorrow. (COMMENT: CSTC-A and the Embassy have
reviewed the plan and consider it effective. See
SEPTEL. END COMMENT.) The GoA has responded to the
situation by splitting up the groups of Koreans and
spreading them throughout the city while preventing
them from gathering in large groups to protect their
security. Koreans in the provinces are also not
being allowed to return to Kabul without special
authorization.
DEPARTURES
4. (SBU) Post has received word that hundreds of
Koreans have been ushered out of the country today.
The Korean Embassy and GoA worked together to
provide flights back to Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif for
those who entered via Iran and Uzbekistan. About
100-200 others were slated to depart today and
tomorrow for Kazakhstan, China, India, and UAE.
COMMENT
5. (SBU) The situation seems to be under control.
The GoA has effectively eliminated any chance for
the Korean group to hold events. The GoA has also
created a very thorough plan to deal with potential
emergencies. Post has seen no indications of
potential violence but will continue to track the
continuing situation. END COMMENT.
NEUMANN