World leaders condemn attack

World leaders Friday condemned the suicide bombing targeting former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto, saying it served as an urgent reminder of the need for a concerted, global response to terrorism.
The United States, which counts Islamabad as a valuable ally in its "war on terror," said the blasts, which killed at least 133 people, should not be allowed to derail pending elections in Pakistan. Regional powers China and India, the United Nations and the European Union also denounced the bombing, which came just hours after Benazir had returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile.
"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."
Benazir returned to Pakistan vowing to lead her party into elections due in January after President Pervez Musharraf agreed to drop outstanding corruption charges against her. Washington has quietly supported moves toward a deal between military ruler Musharraf and Benazir, seeing an alliance as a way to boost 'moderates' and step up the fight against Taliban and al Qaeda militants.
Australia, another close US ally, said the attack 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.
China, one of Pakistan's closest allies, urged Islamabad to "maintain social stability" in the wake of the explosion. Another close ally, Turkey, urged closer international cooperation against terrorism. "The Turkish people, who believe in the bright future of Pakistan, stand beside the Pakistani people... and share their pain," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
India, which routinely accuses Islamabad of fomenting an Islamic insurgency in disputed Kasshmir, added its condemnation. "The spectre of terrorism confronting our region requires strong and determined action by all our governments," said Indian foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna.
"It is reprehensible that senior political figures are targeted in this way with such loss of innocent life," he added. India and Pakistan were to hold talks Monday on efforts to put in place an anti-terrorism mechanism designed to share intelligence on militants.
In Pakistan's neighbour Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai said the bombing against his Pakistani "brothers and sisters" underlined the importance of a united response to terrorism. "This proves that once again Afghanistan and Pakistan and our international friends must focus the strongest attention in the war against terrorism," Karzai told reporters.
Afghanistan has seen about 120 suicide bombings this year, violence Karzai says is being largely orchestrated by Taliban and other extremist groups based in remote tribal areas of Pakistan where militants are supported by Islamist radicals. His claims have angered Islamabad, which says Kabul should take more responsibility for the violence.
Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer descried this "horrible attack" while stressing that Pakistanis' democratic aspirations "should not be dimmed by terrorists." UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked.
"The secretary general strongly condemns this terrorist attack and ... trusts that all political forces will act together to strengthen national unity," a statement said. The European Union presidency also condemned the "terrorist attack" and urged the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "appalled." "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.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to victims' families and urged Pakistani authorities "to ensure that the process ahead of legislative elections is conducted in the best possible circumstances."
Japan's foreign ministry offered its "deepest sympathies" while pledging to "continue to fight against terrorism in cooperation with the international community," a statement said. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin sent Musharraf a telegram saying the attack was a "vile crime" and confirmation of the need for a global response.
Italy denounced a "reprehensible act of violence" and Spain a "brutal terrorist attack," with both echoing Putin's call for a greater cooperation. "The can only strengthen the desire of ... the international community to combat and isolate any form of terrorism," Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said.