Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on today's tragic events in Pakistan:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Pakistan_Statement_12.27
"We are still learning the details of today's tragic events in Pakistan, but this is a stark reminder that America must not only stay on high alert, but remain actively engaged across the globe. Pakistan has long been a key part in the war against extremism and radical jihadists. For those who think Iraq is the sole front in the War on Terror, one must look no further than what has happened today. America must show its commitment to stand with all moderate forces across the Islamic world and together face the defining challenge of our generation – the struggle against violent, radical jihadists.
"At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Benazir Bhutto, and to all the people of Pakistan who are fighting against extremist forces that would commit such heinous acts as the whole world has witnessed today."
And here is a video and transcript of Governor Romney's comments a short time ago at a media availability in Nashua, NH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6eqT1UNsOE
Governor Mitt Romney: "This points out again the extraordinary reality of global, violent, radical Jihadism. We don't know who is responsible for this attack, but there's no question but that the violence that we see throughout the world is violence which is not limited to Iraq and Afghanistan, but is more global in nature. And this type of loss of life points out again the need for our nation and other civilized nations of the West and of the Muslim world to come together to support moderate Islamic leaders and moderate Islamic people and to help them in their effort to reject the violent and the extreme. The world is very much at risk by virtue of these radical, violent extremists, and we must come together in an effort, in great haste and with great earnestness to help overcome the threat of the spread of radical, violent jihad."
Reporter: "Governor, is there any possibility that General Musharraf might have been involved…"
Governor Romney: "At this stage, we don't know the nature of this particular attack, and in time we'll find out. And so at this stage, we can only speculate as to what might have been the source of this particular attack. Of course, attacks have been occurring over the past several weeks in Pakistan, and the turbulence there certainly flows from the instability associated with northwestern Pakistan and the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in that part of the country.
Reporter: "Given that instability there, does it make you reconsider General Musharraf's decision to declare martial law and to understand better why he did that perhaps?"
Governor Romney: "I believe it was a mistake. I believe as well that martial law was principally imposed by him to protect himself from a political challenge and a challenge from the Supreme Court and others and believed that it was not a productive course for his nation."
Reporter: "Have the United States put too much trust in General Musharraf?"
Governor Romney: "I don't know that we can assess the political process that has been under way in Pakistan to determine exactly where we put our greatest support. Obviously, we have also encouraged a political process which included Madame Bhutto and Mr. Sharif. We have had interest in seeing a progression toward more democratic leadership and governance in Pakistan. Our nation was disappointed with the declaration of martial law, as has been pronounced by the President. So I don't know that we could make that assessment at this stage."
