PRC/PAKISTAN: CHINA CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 007654 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2027 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER CH PK SUBJECT: PRC/PAKISTAN: CHINA CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION Classified By: Acting Political Section Chief Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (B/D). ¶1. (C) Beijing condemns the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as a terrorist act, MFA Asia Department Director for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Zhang Yiming told PolOff December 28. China has sent condolences to Bhutto's family as well as the families of the other victims of the attack, and has also sent a similar message directly to the Government of Pakistan. China is watching the current situation in Pakistan closely, and Zhang expressed hope that the United States and China can "continue to maintain close cooperation in observing the region." ¶2. (U) Post's unofficial translation of the MFA's statement on Bhutto's death is as follows: "We strongly criticize this act of terrorism. We are shocked by Benazir Bhutto's assassination, and express our condolences to her family, as well as to the families of the other victims." RANDT