Office of the Historian

379. Telegram From the Consulate in Karachi to the Department of State1

Karachi, November 21, 1979, 1130Z

6611. Subject: Anti-US Demonstrations in Pakistan—2.

1. (C) Entire text.

2. Our contact in Islamabad reports that observers in American school not far from Embassy compound report fire coming from ground floor motor pool area. Pakistani troops are in area but have apparently not moved against mob. American school observers report, however, some rifle fire.

3. Our contact reports that helicopter (presumably Pak Army) has now landed on roof of Embassy apparently attempting to clear demonstrators from roof.

4. While Ambassador’s whereabouts not certain, he is on radio and while apparently not in Chancery may be in his residence. He has gotten through to British Ambassador a request that the latter contact President Zia with request that Embassy compound be cleared to enable staff to resume normal operations.

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  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790535–1002. Confidential; Flash.↩