378. Memorandum From the White House Situation Room to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
SUBJECT
- Attack on U.S. Embassy Islamabad
U.S. embassy Islamabad reported at 0330 EST that it was under attack by “a mob of unknown persons.”2 One marine was killed.3 Cars were burned and fires started in the embassy. The extent of damage is unknown. Embassy personnel were evacuated to the secure third floor post command center, however, Ambassador Hummel remains in the residence and in telephone communications with State. Hummel asked for Pak police support and the British subsequently have reported that the Pak army and police are now clearing the compound. According to Hummel they are having little success against the mob. There reportedly was little time for complete destruction of classified material.
Meanwhile, a crowd of 600–800 reportedly is heading toward our consulate in Karachi and there is a radio report that the American Center in Rawalpindi is burning.
These actions reportedly are directly related to the Mecca incident.4
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 59, Pakistan: 5–12/79. Secret. Carter initialed “C” at the top of the memorandum.↩
- No record of the report found; see, however, Document 376.↩
- See Document 377.↩
- See Document 375.↩