VZCZCXRO1258
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHRK #0353 3621621
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281621Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3530
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000353
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IC PK
SUBJECT: MGPK02: ICELAND CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION
1. Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson said the
assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto "was
a deplorable reminder of the sacrifices that are always made when
the consolidation of democracy is attempted." Grimsson added,
"Benazir Bhutto was a respected leader that firmly warned against
terrorism and extremist forces. She was highly educated and open
minded; I became well aware of that during our conversations in
previous years, [where she] radiated energy and fighting spirit. She
possessed a deep understanding of the common interests of the West
and the Islamic world. The forces of reconciliation have now lost a
strong leader."
2. Icelandic Foreign Minister Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir strongly
condemned the assassination, calling it "disastrous, not only for
Pakistan, but for the whole world." Gisladottir said that Bhutto had
raised hopes of restoring democracy in Pakistan, and that it will be
difficult to fill her shoes.
KLOPFENSTEIN