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Slain diplomat comes home

Deadly Islamabad blast doesn't shake Czech policy in region

By Benjamin Thomas Cunningham
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
September 24th, 2008 issue

The Czech Republic remains committed to its present policy in Central Asia, say officials, after the death of Ambassador Ivo Žďárek from a 1,000-kilogram truck bomb at the Marriott Hotel Sept. 20 in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
Žďárek’s remains arrived back in Prague Sept. 22, greeted by President Václav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek among others.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Foreign Affairs Minister Karel Schwarzenberg was quoted in the International Herald Tribune as saying the Czech Republic must “face the evil and fight with it.”
The BBC reported that an obscure group calling itself Fidayeen-e-Islam — based in Pakistan’s tribal regions and connected to the umbrella group Tehrik-i Taleban Pakistan and its leader, Baitullah Mehsud — is claiming responsibility for the attack.
New Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari, widower of the assassinated Benazir Bhutto, gave his first speech to Parliament just hours before the explosion. Islamabad was under heightened security for the occasion pointing to the attackers’ ability to penetrate increased defenses.
“It is being called the 9/11 of Pakistan,” said Francesco Strazzari, a security expert at the University of Amsterdam. “It’s another demonstration that Pakistan is the front line of a regional conflict.”
Three Czech soldiers were injured overnight Sept. 21 in a missile attack in Afghanistan’s Logar province. There have been two recent incidents of Pakistani forces firing upon U.S. troops tracking militants across the Afghan border into Pakistan.
Zadari voiced opposition to incursions into Pakistani territory which have increased in recent weeks as the U.S. military seeks to gain control of nearby Afghan territory.
Strazzari said the combination of all these factors puts Pakistan at a “particularly delicate junction.”
The Marriott was frequented by foreign dignitaries. It had been targeted twice before in bombing attacks. Saturday’s blast occurred while Muslims were breaking their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan with the Iftar meal at the hotel. As of press time, the death toll from the attack had risen to 54 with at least 266 wounded.
The explosion left a crater 18 meters wide and 8 meters deep. The resulting fire burned for eight hours. This was the 11th suicide bombing in Pakistan this year.

Benjamin Thomas Cunningham can be reached at bcunningham@praguepost.com


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[04:39 26/09/2008] : As a Pakistani, let me express my condolences for the loss of your ambassador. We Pakistanis value our friends across the globe and welcome them into our country and into our homes. It is a matter of shame for us that your ambassador was one of many persons killed in the heart of our capital.

We face a complex battle for the future of our country. Your ambassador was murdered along with dozens of innocents, most of them Pakistani. But we are determined to defeat these murderers and secure a better future for our country, region, and world.

My hope is that the time is not far when your country can rebuild its diplomatic presence inside Pakistan and our countries can build strong bilateral relations.

We in Pakistan have much to learn from your country. In less than two decades, you have secured liberty, democracy, and prosperity. Pakistan's moderate majority is struggling for the same. Let us hope we will be victorious.
Wasi Zafar
Lahore, Pakistan
[06:21 26/09/2008] : Great article by Mr. Cunningham and very pleased to see the that the Czechs will stay strong on their issues and objectives in the region. I have very strong Czech ties as my daughter, Jenny lives in CZ when she is not with me. I would enjoy hearing back from Mr. Cunningham if he wishes good feed from our humanitarian missions and efforts abroad.
Gerald Scott Flint, ,Volunteer Medics Worldwide
Gerald Scott Flint
Brazil, Indiana USA
[22:18 26/09/2008] : I SLIT TO IVO ZADRAK, THE AMBASSADOR CZECH REPUBLIC IN PAKISTAN. HE WAS NOT ONLY A EXPERIENCED DIPLOMAT BUT VERY BRAVE HUMAN BEING WHO SECREFIED HIS LIFE SAVING OTHERS.
WE ALL AS A NATION FEEL VERY SORRY ON THIS TRAGIC ACCIDENT. WE PRAY FOR H.E. AVO ZADREK AND HIS FAMILY. PLEASE DELIVER OUR FEELINGS TO THE FAMILY OF AMBASSADOR.
WAHEED ANJUM
ISLAMABAD
PAKISTAN
ABDUL WAHEED ANJUM
ISLAMABAD
[18:25 28/09/2008] : I wanted to touch on the recent comments from Pakistan. I and my teams have spent much time in the region and Lahore is well known to us. The last time we were there the Iraian President was visiting the grave a well know poet in Lahore. Security was so poor that I was nearly standing next to him and his vehicles were easy access for me! Pakistan must ,,MUST do something about security. They really don't get it! You have to be tough if you really want to protect people. Everyone understands that thier rights and freedoms have changed a bit since the MAGOR BIN LADEN did his deeds on 11 Septmeber 2001. Pakistan must take extrem measures to make the word security have meaning! Gerald Scott FLint , Volunteer Medics Worldwide
Gerald Scott Flint
Brazil, Indiana USA
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