Friday, December 26, 2008

UN chief backs Pakistan's efforts to seek truth, justice on Bhutto assassination









A supporter holds a candle next to a picture of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto during a prayer ceremony ahead of her first death anniversary in Karachi December 26, 2008. Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007 after a public rally in Rawalpindi.





A supporter holds a candle next to a picture of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto during a prayer ceremony ahead of her first death anniversary in Karachi December 26, 2008. Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007 after a public rally in Rawalpindi.(Chinese media/Reuters Photo)
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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 26 (Chinese media) -- UN

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday said that he supports Pakistan's efforts to

search for truth and justice on the December 2007 assassination of former Prime

Minister Benazir Bhutto.

A statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson said,

"One year ago, assassins took the life of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. On this

painful anniversary, the secretary-general stands in solidarity with the

government and the people of Pakistan and assures them of his commitment to

contribute to their search for truth and justice."

Bhutto 54, was killed on Dec. 27, 2007 in a gun and

suicide attack at an election rally in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi. Her

killing shocked the world.

In response to the request that the secretary-general

establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the circumstance of the

killing, "the United Nations Secretariat has been in consultations with the

government of Pakistan to determine the nature of the commission, the scope of

its mandate and the modalities for its establishment," the statement said.

"The Secretariat has also been in consultations on

this matter with members of the United Nations Security Council," the statement

said.

"The secretary-general is hopeful that, with the

progression of the discussions, the commission could be established in the near

future," the statement added.

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