WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement condemning the assassination of the governor of the Pakistani state of Punjab, Salman Taseer, who was gunned down today in Islamabad:
“Governor Taseer was a proud champion of democracy and respect for the rights of women and minorities,” said Chairman Kerry. “He fearlessly stood up to the threats of extremists, and lost his life in defense of moderation and tolerance, values shared by most Pakistani citizens. The best way to honor his legacy is to continue resisting violent extremism and supporting the core principles on which Pakistan was founded.”
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