MGPK02: GREECE CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION

UNCLAS ATHENS 002399 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV GR PK SUBJECT: MGPK02: GREECE CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION ¶1. Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis condemned the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, expressing shock at the death of "a leading international personality who struggled steadfastly for democracy, peace, respect for human dignity and reconciliation in her country." Bakoyannis added, "Greece condemns the terrorist attack in the most categorical way that, just two weeks ahead of Parliamentary elections in Pakistan, has led to this tragic loss." ¶2. Greek opposition leader and Socialist International President George Papandreou also condemned the assassination, noting "I had the opportunity of meeting her and of appreciating the struggles of her family and of herself for democracy, for a state of justice, under difficult conditions in Pakistan." Papandreou concluded, "being the President of the Socialist International, I condemn the assassination attack, and I express the strong concern of the international and of the European democratic community over the course that developments have taken in Pakistan, at the responsibility of the Pakistani regime." SPECKHARD