McAleese leads Irish condolences

PRESIDENT Mary Mc-Aleese led the Irish condolences to the family of Benazir Bhutto and the people of Pakistan last night, saying she was “shocked and saddened” by Ms Bhutto’s assassination.

“On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Ireland, I send my deepest condolences to her family and to the people of Pakistan and especially to those members of the Pakistan community here in Ireland,” said Mrs McAleese.

“My deepest sympathy also to the families of those other people killed in this dreadful atrocity.”

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was an attack on the democratic process in Pakistan.

“Ms Bhutto and her party have been campaigning heavily in the run-up to the parliamentary elections due to be held in less that two weeks, an election which will provide all of the people of Pakistan with an opportunity to secure democracy for their country. It is my sincere hope that this appalling attack will not prevent the Pakistani people from achieving that objective,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said: “This appalling terrorist act has ended the life of one of Pakistan’s most prominent political leaders:

“The killing of Benazir Bhutto is not just a tragic act of violence against an individual, but an attack on democracy, as her party and the country have been preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled for January 8.”

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the cross-party Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs should meet to discuss the potential fallout from the assassination.

Labour foreign affairs spokesman Michael D Higgins said: “The events are a tragic reversal of hope and prospects for the people of Pakistan. The international community will be well aware of the significance of the assassination of a political figure who was likely to become the first female leader of a Muslim country.”