On December 27, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, leader of Pakistani People’s Party, was a target of assassination and passed away on her way to the hospital. Like his father, Zulfaghar Ali Bhutto, and his two brothers, Mrs. Bhutto was a victim of those who opposed democracy in Pakistan.

United Republicans of Iran considers the horrific terror of Mrs. Bhutto a crime against democracy in Pakistan and the region. This crime shows the deep hatred and danger of the Islamic Fundamentalism, as a force against democracy, progress and modernity.

Although upon her triumphant return to Pakistan she was a target of yet another unsuccessful attempt on her life that led to the death of more than 139 people, the military rulers of Pakistan headed by Gen. Pervez Musharraf did not take any step to bring the culprits to justice but rather began arresting democracy activists instead.

Her heart-rending death also shows that although political pressure by democratic countries and the moral support of freedom lovers toward the process of democratization in one nation is valuable, but it is neither a guarentee for safety of those activists nor success of democracy.

United Republicans of Iran sends its condolences to her party, the people of Pakistan, her family as well as all the freedom lovers of the region.

The grief over her loss is a grief that is shared among all freedom loving people. The most sacred commemoration to her memory is for her people to continue the struggle and to remember her determination on democratic values, to resist against terror and intimidation and to support her nationalistic and progressive principles.

We value her courage and belief in free elections in Pakistan, her resolve for democracy and modernity.

We are certain that the People of Pakistan, inspired by her resistance, courage and sacrifice, will ultimately achieve the freedom and democracy that she most cherished for her people.