U.S. embassy, consulate in Pakistan scaled down

AP Diplomatic WriterWASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department on Friday ordered dependents and non-essential workers at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, and three consulates to leave the country because of concerns for their safety.

Secretary of State Colin Powell informed President Pervez Musharraf of the decision to scale down the staff by telephone from Monterrey, Mexico, where Powell was accompanying President Bush on a visit.

Pakistani security agencies have been exploring possible al-Qaida links to a wave of terrorist strikes, including a grenade attack on a church that killed two Americans and three other people, the government said Wednesday.

Pakistan lined up with the United States in the war against terrorists and their protectors in Afghanistan in spite of sizable sentiment against the United States in the country.

State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said the decision for an orderly departure was made "after a careful review of our security posture in Pakistan."

He did not offer any details, saying simply, "I don't think there's any specific that I could point to at this point."

Reeker said the embassy and three consulates in Lahore, Karachi and Pashawar would be able to function and to service Americans in the South Asian country.

However, he said the embassy and consulate would be closed through Monday, which is a holiday in Pakistan.

Reeker said the department was satisfied with Musharraf's security measures, but still thought it prudent to order the dependents and non-essential workers to leave. He said he did not know how many Americans were involved.

Security officials in Pakistan have said they plan a crackdown on religious extremists.

The attacks could possibly be a reaction to Pakistan's decision to join the international coalition against terrorism, Information Minister Nisar Memon said Wednesday.

At the same time, Reeker announced the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia, would be closed at least until Monday for a review of its security arrangements.