I’m sure you all have heard about the bomb blasts in Pakistan that have killed more than 125 people and left hundreds injured. Our team is safe and working today, but we are proceeding with caution and closely watching any fallout that might develop.ÂÂ
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I know I share with you a deep sadness for what has happened, for the families of those who were killed, for Pakistan, for the world so in need of good news and more hopes for peace. In looking at the crowds who gathered for Benazir Bhutto, it was striking to see hundreds of thousands of working class people who, whether warranted or not, want to hope for more opportunities. Nothing justifies such carnage. Our own sense of urgency around the work we do can only be strengthened. I’m also feeling very proud of our Pakistani team and partners who refuse to accept the status quo and are serving as role models for a different way of building opportunities that last for people who too often are ignored.
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Pakistan is ‘on the brink’. They need help on all levels: political justice, humanitarian assistance, guidance from the US if we truly want to support and assist this National to turn towards ‘democracy’….It’s hard to tell where they stand? But, as the US made a commitment to this country under the dictarship of Musharref, we have an obligation to follow up, and not ‘quit’ on them! They are in a 50/50 political situation…help is needed in all areas of their lives….if the US wants to hold on to creating a ‘democracy’ there, they need to get much more involved, and look for ALL AVENUES…
Reply to M. Renlund-Zaidmanto resolve this very critical issue…More time and more discussions and many more efforts will be needed, or we lose Pakistan to extremists or to dictarship.