U.S. condemn assassination of Pakistani minister

WASHINGTON. March 3. KAZINFORM U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday condemned the assassination of Pakistani Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

Obama said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened" by the assassination of Bhatti, and condemns in the strongest possible terms "this horrific act of violence."

"Those who committed this crime should be brought to justice, and those who share Mr. Bhatti's vision of tolerance and religious freedom must be able to live free from fear," he said.

Clinton said in a separate statement that she was "shocked and outraged" by the assassination of Bhatti, pledging that the United States "remains committed to working with the government and people of Pakistan to build a more stable and prosperous future for all -- a future in which violent extremists are no longer able to silence the voices of tolerance and peace;" Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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