Reaction Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
Chairman, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
On State Department And Foreign Operations
To The Assassination Of Benazir Bhutto
Thursday, December 27, 2007

This is a sorrowful day for Pakistan and for people of goodwill across the globe.

This election is important in what it will show about the vigor of democratic institutions in Pakistan.  The lack of real democracy and the crippling of Pakistan’s judiciary have been grave setbacks.  The earlier protests by Pakistan’s lawyers in defense of the rule of law helped show the world what is at stake, and now, with this tragedy, the whole world again is watching Pakistan. 

The people of Pakistan deserve to know that the people of the United States stand with them as they struggle to restore constitutional government and to prevail over thuggery.  They will want to know that our military aid is no longer blind to their aspirations.  And they need to know that we share their profound sense of loss.

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[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, sponsored provisions in the omnibus appropriations bill, signed today by President Bush, which for the first time condition $50 million of U.S. military aid to Pakistan on progress in restoring constitutional government.]