[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The attacker was driving on a road that leads to the consulate but a paramilitary guard signaled him to stop at a checkpoint, said Niaz Sadiqui, the provincial police chief. The bomber then saw the American official's car and rammed into it 65 feet from the U.S. Consulate's gate, igniting high-density explosives, Sadiqui said.

*************************

So the real target was the consulate building.....it would seem.

[freepersup]

Either the Consulate, or the Marriott hotel.

Per another report: (paraphrasing) The attacker left the (weaponized) vehicle and scouted the Marriott hotel's lobby for a full 30 mikes on foot, then returned to his bomb laden vehicle.

At some point the attacker drew the attention of the security forces, at which time the attacker rammed the FSO's armored vehicle as it exited the Consulate.

The attacker may have been sizing up his target(s) and was a bit of an opportunist in selecting the exiting FSO's armored vehicle, or by sheer coincidence, and upon his discovery by security forces, made the decision to attack the recognizable FSO's vehicle, (in that instant.)

Perhaps the Marriott was a soft target adjoining the Consulate and taking it out would in fact all but guarantee taking out of the Consulate nearby?

[NormsRevenge]

Looks like it.

Embassies, even with heightened security, draw these bastards like flies to manure,,

I'd love to see Musharraf and Bush standing side by side on a stage inf ront of thousands of Pakis and see the heads of Osama, zawahari and zarqawi on pikes brought out for display.

They are the scourge of decent folks around the world.

They are no purveyors of a peaceful religion. TROP, my arse.