Cablegate: Two Bombings in La Paz

R 131154Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1444
INFO AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CARACAS
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
AMEMBASSY QUITO
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO

UNCLAS LA PAZ 001170

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER, DS/IP/ITA, AND DS/IP/WHA

PASS TO REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR BL
SUBJECT: TWO BOMBINGS IN LA PAZ

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

1. (SBU) On August 12, 2009, the Bolivian National Police (BNP)
informed the U.S. Embassy La Paz that a bomb had exploded at the Las
Dos Torrez Building in La Paz. Later that same day, the BNP
informed the Embassy that a second device exploded at a bus station
in La Paz (La Zona de Villa Ftima, Calle Yanacachi in the
Transportation Union of the Flota Yungas).

2. (SBU) The BNP report that at approximately 12:00 pm today an
unidentified explosive artifact detonated on the 9th floor office of
Empresa Constructora de Ingenieros Civiles Associados (ICA) (an
engineering company) in the Las Dos Torrez Building, located on
Avenida 6 de Agosto (approximately 5 blocks from the U.S. Embassy).
Two BNP officers from the Fire Department were inspecting a
suspicious package when it exploded. The Commander of the Fire
Department and another BNP officer were both injured in the blast.
RSO Note: On September 02, 2008 there was an explosion in that very
same office that injured two employees.

3. (SBU) At approximately 1545 today, the BNP contacted the U.S.
Embassy again to report that a second explosion had occurred. The
BNP report that a second explosive artifact (believed to be an
envelope) detonated inside the Flota Yungas transportation office
located on Calle Yanacachi in the Villa Fatima neighborhood of La
Paz. The BNP are reporting injuries at the scene, but are presently
confirming details.

4. (U) Investigations are on-going and the BNP are reporting
additional details as they are available.

5. (U) POC is ARSO Jennifer McHugh; e-mail: mchughjl@state.gov or
Acting DCM/RSO Patrick J. Moore; e-mail: (moorepj@state.gov); IVG
547-8300. Regards.

CREAMER

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