Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said in a televised address vowed to eliminate the “cancer” of terrorism in the country after the deadly suicide attack on the Marriott Hotel here Saturday. “Terrorism is a cancer in Pakistan, we are determined, God willing, we will rid the country of this cancer,” Zardari said. “We will not be deterred by these cowards, Pakistanis are brave and fearless people, they are not afraid of death.” “I promise you that such actions by these cowards will not lower our resolve,” he said, appealing “to all democratic forces to come and save Pakistan.” “It was a day of festivity and celebration for democracy and the entire nation, but these cowards turned our jubilation into grief,” he said. He assured families of those killed in the blast that the government would support them. “They were martyred for this country and we will always remember them and support their families,” he said. World reaction US President George W. Bush on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist bombing. He said the attack “is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan.” “This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism,” said Bush. He promised to “assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” and to support Pakistanis “as they face enormous challenges economically as well as from terrorism.” Presidential candidates, Republican John McCain pointed to “violent Islamic extremism” and Democrat Barack Obama said the attack “demonstrates the grave and urgent threat that Al-Qaeda and its affiliates pose to the United States, to Pakistan, and to the security of all nations.” Obama said: “As the attack earlier this week on our embassy in Yemen shows, over seven years after 9/11, the terrorist threat knows no borders, and the terrorists threaten innocent civilians of all religions and regions.” British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, “This latest bombing attack in Islamabad is yet another shocking and disgraceful attack without justification.” Britain stood “shoulder-to-shoulder with the government of Pakistan against the violent extremists who have no answers but only offer death and mayhem,” said Miliband. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack declaring it a “heinous terrorist attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad,” his spokesperson said in a statement. “He expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this appalling attack, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan. No cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians.” The European Union expressed support for Pakistan. “At this difficult time, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union addresses a message of solidarity to the Pakistani authorities, and stands more than ever with them in their fight against terrorism,” the presidency, currently held by France, said in a statement from Brussels. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero extended his “deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this bloody attack”, said a foreign ministry statement. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini “firmly condemned” the attack. WHO DID IT? Islamist militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taleban were almost undoubtedly behind the blast, though there has been no confirmed claim of responsibility. WHY NOW? The bombing happened in the wake of a series of US missile strikes against militant targets in the Pakistani tribal lands bordering Afghanistan. The militants believe the government and army have helped the United States, despite Pakistani protests following a US commando raid, the first known operation by US ground troops inside Pakistan, in the Waziristan tribal region on Sept. 3. Hundreds of militants have been killed in a major offensive by the Pakistani army in the Bajaur tribal region during the past few weeks. Revenge is a powerful motive in the fiercely independent tribal region, where Al-Qaeda and the Taleban have laid down roots. Hours before the attack, Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari told parliament that terrorism must be rooted out. Zardari was due to go the United States on Sunday. He was expected to attend the UN General Assembly and meet President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Analysts say the attack on the Marriott was meant to show the government and army what to expect if they support the United States. WHY THE MARRIOTT The hotel is Pakistani-owned, but Marriott is an American franchise. There is only one other five-star hotel in Islamabad. The hotel is in a high-security zone close to the presidency building, the prime minister's residence and the parliament. Hitting the Marriott demonstrated the militants' ability to penetrate the security ring. The hotel's clientele are members of the Pakistani elite, foreign diplomats, businessmen and journalists.
