Bush condemns assassination of Bhutto

International Herald Tribune ^ | December 27, 2007 | Steven Lee Myers

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

CRAWFORD, Texas: President George W. Bush on Thursday condemned the assassination of the Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, a killing that left in ruins the delicate diplomatic effort his administration had pursued for the past year to reconcile that country's deeply divided political factions.

Bush spoke only briefly to reporters while vacationing at his ranch here.

"The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy," Bush said. "Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice."

Now, more than ever, the Bush administration's hopes for Pakistan rest almost entirely with President Pervez Musharraf, the newly retired general whose autocratic measures - most recently a declaration of emergency rule - have left him weakened and broadly unpopular.

The apparent fragility of his power, coupled with the rise of extremism in Pakistan, is what led Bush's aides to try to broker a power-sharing agreement between Bhutto and Musharraf in the first place. Those efforts faltered almost immediately after she returned to Pakistan in October, and ended completely with her death.

Bush praised Bhutto more strongly than he had previously, saying: "She knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to allow assassins to dictate the course of her country."

He expressed his condolences to Bhutto's family, the families of the others who died and "to all the people of Pakistan on this tragic occasion." He said that the best way to honor her memory would be "by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Need to get this out where people can see that President Bush is making statements.

[G8 Diplomat]

Pakistan ۋﮧ۱م

FReepmail if you want on or off

[Badeye]

I don’t understand how anyone missed his remarks a few hours ago, it led the top of the hourly news updates just about everywhere.

[Rick_Michael]

Bush should apologize /sarcasm

That place in the world is a bit nutty. In which case, most normal people will get killed. Lets just hope there are enough protectors to the norm.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well...see this thread:

Who Killed Bhutto? The Scramble for Culprits Begins

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Whoops,...I see you posted a comment on that thread.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well,....at least the Huckster apologized..../s

[Badeye]

I kinda wondered after Reply #6....(chuckle)

But I do appreciate the effort you made to produce a link.

[seekthetruth]

Does anyone have a link to a transcript of President Bush’s statement this morning? I was not home and missed hearing President Bush. Thanks!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

President and Mrs. Bush Extend Condolences Regarding Assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Condemn Violence

*******************EXCERPT*********************

Prairie Chapel Ranch
Crawford, Texas

THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Benazir Bhutto, to her friends, to her supporters. We send our condolences to the families of the others who were killed in today's violence. And we send our condolences to all the people of Pakistan on this tragic occasion.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks E, for all these pings. The top one is IMHO the most important:

Pakistan: Al-Qaeda claims Bhutto’s death
AKI - Adnkronos International | 27 Dec. | Syed Saleem Shahzad
Posted on 12/27/2007 9:35:52 AM EST by Aristotelian
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1944713/posts

Fred Thompson on Benazir Bhutto assassination (Fox Interview)
Fred08 | December 27, 2007
Posted on 12/27/2007 2:14:53 PM EST by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1944826/posts

Benazir Bhutto Critically Injured At Rally [Update: Bhutto has died]
Sky News | Dec.27,2007
Posted on 12/27/2007 8:12:06 AM EST by COUNTrecount
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1944679/posts

[SunkenCiv]

...and in Karachi...

Gates: Qaeda has regrouped in Pakistan border area
Reuters on Yahoo | 12/21/07 | Kristin Roberts
Posted on 12/21/2007 3:36:07 PM EST by NormsRevenge
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1942920/posts

[RightWhale]

Pretty much the same message by the other world leaders who have commented.

[Marine_Uncle]

In due respect to all. Most world leaders of significance will make similar statements. What is important is for GWB to make it clear to Musshy that he and his military had better follow through with the recent agreement between him and Karzid to form joint operations along with ground/air support from the USA and NATO to start putting a real hurting on all those grubby bastards sleeking around the filthy villages in all those Pakistani border regions. It is plain and simple. Long time over due to allow those that can, to start bombing the living shit out of these low lives and all who harbor them.
It is them against us. Those living in those tribal communities in this mountainous regions could give a fiddle stick less for what their clowns, and those they protect would do to innocent people in many nations.
I see no damn difference between them and say the tribes of Sunni for instance (some literally beduine goat herders from the 2000 BC era.), in al Anbar allowing for a bunch of radical jihadist from various mid east countries and Africa to make war against the US and coalition forces, believing they where somehow in good with allah the black moon rock.
Tough luck if they have a bunch of JDAM and other smart ordnance rain down on their cow shit constructed huts.
It is high time the Pakistani army purge anyone in the least leaning toward jihadism, and join forces in a real meaningful way with those that are willing to help, and make those that support world radical jihad pay dearly for their ill conceived beliefs.

[pray4liberty]

President George W. Bush on Thursday condemned the assassination of the Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, a killing that left in ruins the delicate diplomatic effort his administration had pursued for the past year to reconcile that country's deeply divided political factions.

Precisely the point of the assassination.