The Hindu : Front Page : Assassination roils U.S. presidential race

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Friday, Dec 28, 2007
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Assassination roils U.S. presidential race

Brings issue of terrorism back to the fore

WASHINGTON: The assassination of Ms. Bhutto pushed terrorism to the forefront in U.S. voters’ minds and highlighted the candidacies of presidential hopefuls with long records on national security.

The assassination rippled through the presidential race for the White House in 2008 as candidates scrambled to respond and adjusted campaign plans on a day overshadowed by the terrorist attack in Rawalpindi.

The assassination came a week before the Jan. 3 caucuses in the rural, midwestern state of Iowa, the crucial first contest in political parties’ state-by-state process of selecting presidential nominees.

Hillary Rodham Clinton has argued that her experience makes her prepared to lead the United States in troubled times. Rival Barack Obama has pushed a hard line in dealing with Pakistan and the search for Osama bin Laden. Republican Giuliani said on Thursday the assassination underscored a need for the U.S. to increase its efforts to combat terrorism.

“Her murderers must be brought to justice, and Pakistan must continue the path back to democracy and the rule of law,” he said in a statement. “Her death is a reminder that terrorism anywhere — whether in New York, London, Tel-Aviv or Rawalpindi — is an enemy of freedom. We must redouble our efforts to win the terrorists’ war on us.”

McCain, in a statement, said the death “underscores yet again the grave dangers we face in the world today and particularly in countries like Pakistan, where the forces of moderation are arrayed in a fierce battle against those who embrace violent Islamic extremism.

“Given Pakistan’s strategic location, the international terrorist groups that operate from its soil, and its nuclear arsenal, the future of that country has deep implications for the security of the United States and its allies. America must stand on the right side of this ongoing struggle,” he said, noting that he has made numerous visits to Pakistan.

The former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, focused on the threat of “global, violent radical jihadism”.

“This type of loss of life points out again the need for our nation and other civilised nations of the West and Muslim world to come together to support moderate Islamic leaders and moderate Islamic people to help them in their effort to reject the violence and the extreme,” Mr. Romney told reporters after his first campaign event in the northeastern state of New Hampshire. “The world is very much at risk by virtue of these radical, violent extremists and we must come together, in great haste and great earnestness, to help overcome the threat of the spread of radical, violent jihad.”

On Wednesday night, Mr. Romney had criticised Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for imposing martial law. “I believe it was a mistake. I believe as well that martial law was principally imposed by him to protect himself from political challenge, a challenge from the Supreme Court and others, and believe that it was not a productive course for his nation.”

Republican candidate Mike Huckabee said the assassination was “devastating news for the people of Pakistan, and my prayers go out to them. The terrible violence surrounding Pakistan’s upcoming election stands in stark contrast to the peaceful transition of power that we embrace in our country through our Constitution,” said Mr. Huckabee in a statement. — AP

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