Pakistan: I sure hate to see him go.
From Condi Rice:
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged today to continue working with the Pakistan Government and thanked outgoing President Pervez Musharraf for aiding the fight against al-Qaeda. "We will continue to work with the Pakistani government and political leaders and urge them to redouble their focus on Pakistan's future and its most urgent needs, including stemming the growth of extremism," Dr Rice said in a statement. (Ed. note: I wouldn't be counting on them to work with us, Condoleezza.) She added that Mr Musharraf, who announced his resignation earlier today, "has been a friend to the United States and one of the world's most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism."
From Stephen Smith, Australia's Foreign Minister:
"It is important that the government of Pakistan now moves with purpose to tackle the security and economic challenges facing the country," Mr Smith said. "These challenges have regional and international implications."
Mr Smith said Australia - "as a friend of Pakistan" - would look to assist it in dealing with the challenges "especially in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan".
From David Miliband, Britain's Foreign Secretary:
The announcement by President Musharraf that he is standing down as President brings to a close a critical period in Pakistan’s history and its relations with the UK and other countries. Pakistan is a vital friend of the UK and it is essential for Britain’s security, never mind the personal ties that bind nearly one million British people to Pakistan, that it has a strong and democratic government with a clear mandate and programme for thoroughgoing reform of its social, political and economic structures.”
From Russia's Foreign Ministry: (Ed. note: And it seems all a bit rich given their recent actions in Georgia.)
"Russia hopes the departure of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will not have negative consequences for the internal political stability of this major Asian nation," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
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