Reactions to Bhutto assassination

December 27th, 2007

The killing of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in a presumed suicide attack at an election rally in Rawalpindi has drawn widespread national and international condemnation.

PAKISTAN OPPOSITION LEADER NAWAZ SHARIF
It is not a sad day, it is a dark, darkest, gloomiest day in the history of this country. Something unthinkable has happened. Something inconceivable, unthinkable has happened.

US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TOM CASEY
Certainly, we condemn the attack on this rally. It demonstrates that there are still those in Pakistan who want to subvert reconciliation and efforts to advance democracy.

FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY
I condemn this odious act with the greatest severity.

Terrorism and violence have no place in the democratic debate and in the combat of ideas and programmes. More than ever it is necessary for the [Pakistani] legislative elections to… take place in conditions of pluralism, transparency and security.

UK FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND
In targeting Benazir Bhutto, extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan.

They cannot and must not succeed.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MIKHAIL KAMYNIN
We firmly condemn this terrorist act, we express our condolences to Benazir Bhutto’s relatives and loved ones, and we hope that the Pakistani leadership will manage to take necessary steps to ensure stability in the country.

VATICAN SPOKESMAN FREDERICO LOMBARDI
This attack shows how extremely difficult it is to pacify a nation so wrought by violence.

We share the sadness of the Pakistani population.

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH
In her death the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country.

The manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat.

Source: news.bbc.co.uk