U.S. concerned at security situation

A senior U.S. diplomat said yesterday that a decision about reopening the U.S. consulate in Karachi will be taken soon, but security remains a concern in the wake of fresh terrorist strikes in the country.

The State Department will shortly announce whether to open the consulate in Karachi, John K. Bauman, U.S. consul general in Karachi, told reporters.

The U.S. consulate was closed for an indefinite period on August 5 because of what U.S. officials described as a renewed security threat.

Bauman said the reopening of the north-bound Abdullah Haroon Road in front of the consulate exposed it to the similar level of threat as of June 14 when terrorists blew up a vehicle packed with explosives killing 12 Pakistanis and wounding more than 50 others.

"We agreed to the opening of south-bound traffic," he said. "But when north-bound traffic re-opened we were back to the June 14 situation. We need more space – at least 100 feet – outside the consulate for our security," he added.

The U.S. officials have discussed the security issue with top Pakistani military and civil officials, he said. But he refused to give details what security options are under consideration.

Pakistani officials, who opened Abdullah Haroon Road for traffic on August 5, said its continued closure was creating massive problems for commuters. The security options include relocation of the consulate to a safer place, they said.

But Bauman refused to make any comment on the proposal, saying that safety of the consulate staffers, who are 90 per cent Pakistanis, remains the State Department's top priority.

He said the consulate's closure was hurting trade and business activities between Pakistan and the United States.

Reopening the consulate is important because it gives confidence to businessmen and investors, he said.

Pakistan says the recent wave of terrorist activities is a price the country is paying for its support to the U.S.-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

Religious hardliners are outraged by their government's support to the U.S., and extremists among their ranks are trying to target not just Western interests in Pakistan, but also senior Pakistani officials.