International Reaction To The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto - Asia

Asia

• Afghanistan – President Hamid Karzai condemned "the act of cowardice and immense brutality in the strongest possible terms." He praised Bhutto for "having sacrificed her life for the sake of Pakistan and for the sake of this region."

• Bahrain – The government denounced the assassination, saying that " extends its sincere condolences to Bhutto’s family and all the Pakistani people" and calling for "self-restraint."

• Bangladesh – Prime Minister Fakhruddin Ahmed condemned the attack, stating that "it was an unpardonable crime that has shocked the world. The government and people of Bangladesh mourned this tragedy with their Pakistani brethren." Major political parties also condemned the assassination. The Awami League urged "pro-democratic and progressive forces to stand united against this heinous killing", while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party feared the assassination may leave "an adverse impact on the democratic politics of the subcontinent". The Jatiya Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, National Awami Party and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh also issued statements of strong condemnation.

• Brunei - Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah "expressed shock" and condemned Bhutto's assassination. He also conveyed his deepest condolences and profound respects to the people of Pakistan and to the family and friends of the late Benazir Bhutto.

• Cambodia - Prime Minister Hun Sen condemned the assassination, calling it "coward terrorism", and said that her killing was "a serious problem in Pakistan". He also expressed his condolences to Bhutto's family and called for all political parties in Pakistan to solve matters patiently.

• China – A Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said that China was "shocked at the killing of Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto" and "strongly condemns the terrorist attack."

• India – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was "deeply shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. Mrs. Bhutto was no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age. Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in India–Pakistan relations, and her intent to break India Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were exemplary. In her death, the South Asia 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. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and the people of Pakistan who have suffered a grievous blow." Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said he "heard with shock and horror of the death of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto," whose "contributions to democracy, to the improvement of India–Pakistan relations, and to the restoration of normalcy within Pakistan will be an inspiration. Mrs. Bhutto was a brave and outstanding woman leader of the South Asia. That she should fall to a barbarous terrorist attack is particularly tragic, and should strengthen our resolve to fight this scourge."

• Indonesia – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, "...he was shocked and condemned the terrorists". He expressed a hope that such a fatal accident will not harm democracy in Pakistan, which is now unstable especially towards its general elections which will be held on January 15, 2008. He also said that "the incident had dealt a serious blow to the transition of democracy."

• Iran – Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki expressed the deep sympathy of the Iranian nation and government and said he hoped that the Pakistani government would try and track down the culprits behind this crime against Bhutto and a number of innocent people who were present at the scene when a gunman fatally shot her and set off a bomb. A Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that "we hope the Pakistani government will identify and bring to justice those behind such a criminal act and restore tranquility to the country," and that "the Pakistan government should use all efforts to identify the terrorist group which caused this incident and punish them to prevent terrorist groups from finding opportunities to undertake such actions again."

• Iraq – President Jalal Talabani called on the world to unite against the "cancer of terrorism".

• Israel – President Shimon Peres praised Bhutto, saying " was a brave woman who did not conceal her opinions, knew no fear, and served her nation with unusual bravery and ability. She was an immeasurably charismatic leader and a warrior for peace in her land and all the world." President Peres hailed Bhutto as a "courageous woman" and said he was "shocked" by the news of her assassination. Deputy and Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni issued the following statement: "We convey our condolences to the people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims. Benazir Bhutto was a well-known leader in Pakistan and in the international community who demonstrated brave leadership for her people. Israel expresses the hope that Pakistan will continue along the path of reconciliation, moderation and democracy." Ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman said that in the weeks prior to her assassination, Bhutto had expressed fear of being killed by extremist elements in Pakistan in emails she sent to him.

• Japan – Foreign Affairs Minister Masahiko Kōmura condemned the attack, saying that "it is absolutely unacceptable to try to solve something by the means of violence."

• Jordan – King Abdullah II, in a message to Musharraf, condemned the assassination and expressed Jordan's "support to Pakistan" to overcome the consequences of this incident.

• Kuwait – Cabinet Affairs Minister Faisal Mohammad Al-Hajji said, "The State of Kuwait strongly condemns the vicious terrorist act which targeted the convoy of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto", and also said that Kuwait expresses sympathies for families of Bhutto and all those who were killed.

• Lebanon – Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said that "Lebanon was shocked by the news of the assassination of former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan People's Party Ms. Benazir Bhutto", adding that "on behalf of the Lebanese people we denounce, condemn and deplore the assassination."

• Malaysia – Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi extended his deepest condolences to the families of Bhutto and the others who were killed. He also said, "The resort to extremism and violence is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated anywhere at any time. The perpetrators must be brought to justice." He added, "I hope the people in Pakistan will remain calm and I pray that the situation in Pakistan will soon stabilise."

• Maldives - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom condemned the attack and extended his condolences to the Pakistani Government, citizens and the families of Bhutto and the others who were killed. He said, " The government and people of the Maldives join me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to you, and your Government and to the brotherly people of Pakistan, at this time of distress and sorrow. Mrs. Bhutto had served Pakistan for many years, and during her years as Prime Minister, played an important role in regional and world affairs. She was also a very good friend of the Maldives."

• Nepal – Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said he was "shocked to hear the murder of Bhutto."

• Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo condemned the assassination, saying "We mourn with the nation of Pakistan over the deaths of Benazir Bhutto and others killed in the shooting and bomb attack in Rawalpindi. We strongly condemn this unmitigated, senseless atrocity, even as we convey our sympathies to the followers of former Prime Minister Bhutto and the families of those who perished. Whoever perpetrated it, this attack is an assault on democracy. The Philippines joins hands with the entire civilized world in solidarity against such mindless barbarity and in unwavering defense of peace, freedom, law and order." Arroyo called on the international community to join hands in preserving peace and order and democracy.

• Saudi Arabia – King Abdullah stated that the assassins were "wicked murderers who are distant from Islam and morals."

• Singapore – The Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement saying that Singapore "is shocked and horrified at the suicide bomb attack" and strongly condemns the murders. The heads of state and government also sent condolence letters to Bhutto's family.

• South Korea – A Foreign Ministry statement said: "The (South Korean) government cannot hide its bitter shock over the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was killed by terrorists on Thursday while on an election campaign, and it offers its sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our government condemns any type of terrorist acts."

• Sri Lanka – A Foreign Affairs Ministry statement described Bhutto as a South Asian leader who "successfully stood up for democracy", adding that "this brutal assassination underlines the need for the absolute commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in order to make it unacceptable in civilized society."

• Syria – A Government spokesman said, "The Syrian government and people...express sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Bhutto, the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistani government and the confidence that Pakistan will be able to overcome the difficult conditions."

• Thailand – Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont condemned the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, branding the act as deplorable. A statement issued by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tharit Charungvat said, "Thailand was deeply shocked and saddened by the deplorable act which led to the deaths of Mrs Benazir Bhutto and several other innocent bystanders. Thailand condemns all forms of terrorist and extremist acts and calls on all parties to react with restraint and work together for the stability of Pakistan."

• United Arab Emirates – Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bin Zayid Al Nahyan stated: "The UAE has been tormented by this huge loss which did not hit Pakistan only, but also affected the UAE."

• Vietnam - The Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement saying that Vietnam "strongly condemns the brutal terrorist attack" and "hope that...the instigators will be severely punished".

• Yemen – A Government official called the assassination a "sinful attack" and "strongly condemned this distressing terrorist act, which was intended to destabilize the security of Pakistan and its national unity."