DATE=5/8/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-289568

TITLE=PAK/BOMBING (L-UPDATE) (CQ)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// RE-ISSUING TO CORRECT -- IN THE INTRO, THE CORRECT NUMBER OF PAKISTANIS KILLED IN THE BOMBING IS THREE, N O T TWO, AS ORIGINALLY SENT -- NO OTHER CHANGES ///

INTRO: The death toll in a suspected suicide car bombing in the Pakistani city, Karachi, has risen to 15. The victims include 11 French nationals, three Pakistanis and the bomber. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.

TEXT: The attack took place outside a luxury hotel in the city of Karachi. Police say a suicide bomber blew up his car alongside a crowded bus, whose passengers were mostly French technicians. The powerful explosion destroyed the bus, causing the large number of casualties.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Provincial police chief, Syed Kamal Shah, describes the attack.

//SHAH ACT//

Initial investigation reveals that this was a suicidal bomber. He was there in the car. And, when he saw that everyone had occupied the vehicle, that is the time he exploded the bomb.

//END ACT/

More than 20 people including 12 French nationals were injured. No one has yet claimed responsibility. Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, has condemned the attack, saying it could be a reaction to his country's support for the U-S-led war on terrorism.

//MUSHARRAF ACT//

They want to drive a wedge and weaken the resolve of Pakistan in its act against International terrorism. We feel that this act of international terrorism has to be met with full force.

//END ACT//

//OPT// The Pakistani President appealed for international understanding of his country's efforts to combat terrorism.

//MUSHARRAF ACT//

I would appeal to the international community to understand our domestic environment resulting from our cooperation against international terrorism, understand our concerns and also understand that Pakistan will do and is already doing all that it can to combat terrorism, international terrorism.

//END ACT// //END OPT//

The French nationals who died were working on a submarine project for the Pakistani government at Karachi seaport.

Wednesday's bomb attack is the second this year, targeting foreign nationals in Pakistan. In March, five people, including two Americans were killed in a grenade attack on an international Protestant church in the capital, Islamabad. Pakistan blamed supporters of the Al-Qaida terror organization for that attack.(SIGNED)

NEB/AG/FC