"The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy," President Bush said in a brief statement at his Crawford, Tex., ranch. He extended condolences to Bhutto's family, the families of other victims and the Pakistani people and urged Pakistanis to keep working for democracy.

"Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice," Bush said. "Mrs. Bhutto served her nation twice as prime minister, and she knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to allow assassins to dictate the course of her country."

Bush said the United States stands "with the people of Pakistan in their struggle against the forces of terror and extremism," and he urged Pakistanis "to honor Benazir Butto's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life."

Bush did not say specifically whether Pakistan's elections should go ahead as scheduled next month, and he walked away without taking any questions from reporters after delivering his somber statement.

Bhutto, 54, died after being shot in the neck and chest by a suicide bomber, who then blew himself up. At least 20 other people were also killed in the attack in Rawalpindi. It occurred as Bhutto was leaving a political rally ahead of Pakistani elections scheduled for Jan. 8.

The attack "demonstrates that there are still those in Pakistan who want to subvert reconciliation and efforts to advance democracy," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

U.S. presidential candidates and lawmakers also denounced the killing in a flurry of statements.

Republican Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, called it "a "tragic event for Pakistan and for democracy in Pakistan."

He added, "Her murderers must be brought to justice, and Pakistan must continue the path back to democracy and the rule of law." Giuliani, who presided over New York's response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, said Bhutto's death "is a reminder that terrorism anywhere -- whether in New York, London, Tel Aviv or Rawalpindi -- is an enemy of freedom. We must redouble our efforts to win the terrorists' war on us."

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) said in a statement, "The terrible violence surrounding Pakistan's upcoming election stands in stark contrast to the peaceful transition of power that we embrace in our country through our Constitution. On this sad day, we are reminded that while our democracy has flaws, it stands as a shining beacon of hope for nations and people around the world who seek peace and opportunity through self-government."

In London, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "deeply shocked" by the attack.

"In targeting Benazir Bhutto, extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan," he said in a statement. "They cannot and must not succeed."

Bhutto "showed in her words and actions a deep commitment to her country," Miliband said. "She knew the risks of her return to campaign but was convinced that her country needed her. This is a time for restraint but also unity."

In India, which fought three wars against Pakistan and has had tense relations with its neighbor for decades, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that "the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country."

He called the assassination "a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat."

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Bhutto's "contribution to democracy, to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations, and to the restoration of normalcy within Pakistan will be an inspiration."

In a letter to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called the assassination an "odious act" and said Bhutto had paid "with her life her commitment to the service of her fellow citizens and to Pakistan's political life." He urged Pakistan to hold its elections as scheduled on Jan. 8.

Italian Premier Romano Prodi said he was filled with grief and called Bhutto "a woman who chose to fight her battle until the end with a single weapon -- the one of dialogue and political debate," the Associated Press reported.

"The difficult path toward peace and democracy in that region must not be stopped, and Bhutto's sacrifice will serve as the strongest example for those who do not surrender to terrorism," Prodi said.

In Moscow, Anatoly Safonov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy on international cooperation against terrorism, expressed fears that the killing could lead to further violence.

"The already unstable situation in Pakistan will be further exacerbated by this powerful factor," the Interfax news agency quoted Safonov as saying.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the "bestial" murder filled him with disgust. "I feel a strong worry for the consequences this will have for Pakistan," he said.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that he was "shocked and outraged" by the assassination, which "represents an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes."

Ban added, "I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible." He also called on Pakistanis to exhibit "calm and restraint" and to "work together for peace and national unity."(WP)

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