International Reaction To The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto - North America

North America

• Bahamas – Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said, "Her assassination has left much of the world in a state of shock and grave concern for the future of Pakistan, the region and the world."

• Canada – Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier issued the statement: "Canada condemns in the strongest terms this attack on the restoration of Pakistan’s efforts to return to full democracy. Today’s violence is especially heinous in view of the upcoming elections on January 8, 2008. The anti-democratic intent of the perpetrators could not be more obvious. I urge the Government and people of Pakistan to continue to reject all forms of violence and to resist those who seek to destabilize their country. Stability in Pakistan is vital for regional stability and security. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Benazir Bhutto, to the families of the other victims of today’s attack, and to the Pakistani people. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time." Prime Minister Stephen Harper later added to reporters at a press meeting in Calgary: "We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. This was an abhorrent act of terror. We hope that the government of Pakistan will act to bring the perpetrators to justice".

• Jamaica – Prime Minister Bruce Golding expressed shock and outrage at the assassination and expressed the hope that "the Pakistani people will find lasting peace within a framework of democracy, tolerance and mutual respect."

• Mexico – Foreign Affairs Secretary Patricia Espinosa "energetically condemned" the event, reaffirmed Mexico's rejection of "terrorism in all its forms and the loss of innocent people's lives", and expressed their "deepest condolences to Benazir Bhutto's relatives and the families of the 20 other victims, as well as to the people and authorities of Pakistan."

• Trinidad and Tobago – The Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement, saying that "the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago express the deepest sympathy to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and family members of former Prime Minister Ms Benazir Ali Bhutto, political leader of the Pakistan People’s Party, on the tragic incident which resulted in her untimely demise and that of innocent civilians", adding that "the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago strongly condemns this act and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to international efforts to eradicate terrorism."

• United States – President George Bush strongly condemned the assassination, urging her killers to be brought to justice. Bush condemned the assassination as a "cowardly act by murderous extremists," and encouraged Pakistan to "honor Benazir Bhutto's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life." Bush also offered some strong praise of Bhutto, noting that "she knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to let assassins to dictate the course of her country." Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said, "The brutal assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is a tragic setback for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. Her courageous return to Pakistan this year gave hope to all those concerned by efforts to extinguish rule of law there." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, "It is important, when faced with the violence and loss of innocent life over the last few days, that political leaders show a commitment to resolve but also restraint. Extremists must be brought to justice, but extremism must not undermine commitment to the rule of law, to human rights, and to democracy." At another press briefing at around 13:00 EST on December 27, a State Department spokesman asserted that "some kind of postponement or delay" in Pakistan’s democratic process would be "a victory" for "the extremists" who were responsible for Benazir Bhutto's assassination. He also asserted that "perhaps the best antidote to extremism is the continuation of the democratic process." He called for a "credible and transparent" investigation of the attack, and alluded to the "broad international outrage" about the incident. He also said that Bush spoke with Musharraf at 13:15 EST. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad, while describing Bhutto as a “courageous figure”, said that “The world has much at stake in the success of Pakistan's democratic institutions. It's a great tragedy because she stood for moderation, for rule of law, for democracy in her country, and her death is a loss for the cause of moderation, democracy, and rule of law for Pakistan. She was clear-headed about the problems of her country, the challenges that she faced — even the security challenges she faced." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement,"We extend our sincere condolences to the Bhutto family and to the families of others who were killed and wounded in the attack. We condemn in the strongest terms possible this cowardly and murderous attack."