World leaders condemn Pakistan attacks

World leaders condemned the bombings targeting former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto that killed at least 125 people, and urged the country to pull together in the face of the tragedy.

The United States, which counts Pakistan as a valuable ally in its “war on terror,” said the blasts aimed to stifle freedom in the country but should not be allowed to derail pending elections.

“The United States condemns the violent attack in Pakistan and mourns the loss of innocent life there,” White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

“Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process,” he said.

Separately the US State Department said Washington stood with the people of Pakistan to eliminate the terrorism threat and to build an “open, democratic, and peaceful society.”

“Those responsible seek only to foster fear and limit freedom,” said department spokesman Tom Casey. “There is no political cause that can justify the murder of innocent people.”

Australia, another close US ally, said the attacks bore the hallmarks of Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network.

“It is a reminder of the evil of Al-Qaeda. It is a reminder of how important it is not to concede a victory to them in Iraq or in Afghanistan,” Australian Prime Minister John Howard said.

Howard said Al-Qaeda was opposed to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s cooperation with the United States.

“Benazir Bhutto, to her credit, as well as General Musharraf have both said they will continue to support the Americans in the war on terror,” he said.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also suggested the militant group was behind the blasts, the worst suicide attack in Pakistan’s history.

“There’s no doubt that Al-Qaeda would be deeply offended at the possibility of a woman taking a leadership role in politics in Pakistan in a Muslim country,” he said.

“They are profoundly anti-woman. They are profoundly, of course, anti-democratic as well.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked by the bombings.

“The Secretary General strongly condemns this terrorist attack and... trusts that all political forces will act together to strengthen national unity,” the United Nations said in a statement.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to families of the victims and called on Pakistani authorities “to ensure that the process ahead of legislative elections is conducted in the best possible circumstances.”

The European Union presidency, currently held by Portugal, also condemned the “terrorist attack” on the “peaceful procession” marking Bhutto’s return to the country. She was not injured in the attack.

“The European Union urges the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice,” it said.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was “appalled” by the “horrific” bombings.

“I condemn utterly the use of violence against entirely innocent people and the attempt to suppress the right of Pakistanis to express their democratic voice,” he said.

Washington, Friday, AFP