It is being described as Pakistan’s 9/11. Saturday night’s terrorist attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad left a trail of death and destruction in its wake – at least 53 people were killed and 260 injured. Among the victims was the recently appointed Czech ambassador to Pakistan Ivo Ždárek.
Photo: CTK
The Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, frequented by diplomats, businessmen and the foreign media was considered one of the safest places in the Pakistani capital. Ivo Ždárek, a 47-year-old father of two, who was appointed to the post Czech ambassador to Pakistan in August, had been living alone at the Marriott since his arrival last month while his quarters at the Czech Embassy were being reconstructed in order to provide great security. Ironically, on the night of September 20th no place could have been less safe. Shortly after the first blast Mr. Ždárek called embassy officials from the hotel saying he was all right and asking for help. When they called him back just minutes later the call went unanswered and several hours after the tragedy the Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani confirmed that the Czech ambassador’s body had been identified. He extended his condolences to the Czech Republic and Mr. Ždárek’s family. According to eyewitness accounts the ambassador died helping the wounded escape the inferno, and was seen rushing back into the flames several times to pull people to safety.
Ivo Ždárek, photo: CTK
In Prague top officials expressed shock and grief at the news. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek described Ivo Ždárek as a seasoned diplomat who had proved his skills in senior diplomatic posts in China and Vietnam. He was, Mr. Topolánek said, one of the country’s top specialists on south-east and central Asia, a man who was always ready to serve in high-risk posts.
Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg reacted to the news from New York where he is currently attending a session of the United Nations:
In this image taken by Closed Circuit TV footage and released by Interior ministry via APTN, guards look at a burning large dump truck, right, after the initial small explosion at the gate of Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, photo: CTK
“This is a terrible tragedy. The ambassador was in the Marriott because we thought it was the safest place for him to be while his own residence was being reconstructed to provide greater security. Sometimes all the measures you take are not enough. We are of course taking all possible measures to increase the security of our diplomats around the world, but in the present day no place can be considered 100 % safe. Terrorists can hit anywhere as we all know –it can happen in Madrid, in New York, virtually anywhere.”
This morning the late ambassador’s remains were put on a special government plane heading for Kabul and from there on to Prague. He will be met with honours at Prague airport where the country’s leaders will pay homage to his memory. Shortly after the plane took off from Islamabad, I spoke with Jaroslav Kalfiřt, the late ambassador’s deputy who will be in charge of the embassy for the time being.
Photo: CTK
“I just came back from the airport where we sent the late ambassador back to Prague on a special plane. I spent some time talking with officials from the Pakistani foreign and interior ministries who were present and all of them were very moved and very sorry about the tragedy that occurred. They wanted me to convey a message to the Czech government and the Czech people, to say that they deeply regretted what happened and that they would continue to strive for democracy and fight terrorism.”
I understand that the Czech embassy in Islamabad will remain open?
“Of course, the Czech embassy will continue its work and maybe within two months we will have a new ambassador in Islamabad.”
What is the level of security like now?
Photo: CTK
“Actually I spoke with some high-ranking military officers at the airport and they wanted to assure me that they would provide security but it is not an easy task. They are fighting an invisible enemy with suicide bombers and so on. So we do not think that they can succeed within a short time. It is the task of the whole international community to support them and fight the common enemy.”
And what is the mood like in Islamabad in the wake of this tragedy?
“Things look very quiet at the moment. Nothing extraordinary is happening but the people are afraid. I have for instance fresh information from the American school that my daughter attends. They are closing down the school for a week in order to take security measures as a precaution. So the situation looks normal but at any time something can happen.”
