Clinton Backs Pakistan as Bomb Toll Hits 90

Secretary of state says 'this is our struggle as well'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 28, 2009 9:34 AM CDT
Clinton Backs Pakistan as Bomb Toll Hits 90
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.   (AP Photo)

Offering sympathy for victims of today's terrorist bombing, Hillary Clinton praised Pakistan's offensive against extremists and pledged US support at a critical point in the country's history. "Pakistan is in the midst of a struggle against tenacious and brutal extremist groups who kill innocent people and terrorize communities," the secretary of state said, just hours after a car bomb killed more than 90 people and wounded more than 200 at a Peshawar market.

"This fight is not Pakistan's alone," Clinton said. "These extremists are committed to destroying what is dear to us as much as they are committed to destroying that which is dear to you and to all people. So this is our struggle as well." Appearing with her, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke to the attackers. "I want to address them," he said. "We will not buckle. We will fight you. We will fight you because we want peace and stability in Pakistan."
(More Hillary Clinton stories.)

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