Clinton outraged at Peshawar attack

Outraged by the attack on the American Consulate in Peshawar by the Taliban, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said "an attack on the diplomatic mission strike at the heart of international cooperation and is unacceptable in any country at any time.""The assault this morning is part of a wave of violence perpetrated by brutal extremists who seek to undermine Pakistan's democracy and sow fear and discord," Clinton said in a statement."I am outraged and deeply saddened by the assault on our Consulate in Peshawar. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the Pakistani security personnel who were killed and all those who were injured," she said.The US Secretary of State said we condemn this attack on our mission, the recent bombings in Baghdad that targeted other diplomatic missions, and all such crimes.Noting that the US was taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its staff -- both American and Pakistani -- as well as the security of its facilities, Clinton said: "We are coordinating closely with Pakistan authorities, who are working to bring the attackers to justice."State Department spokesman P J Crowley said the attacks were a part of a wave of violence perpetrated by brutal extremists who seek to undermine Pakistan's democracy and sow fear and discord.
"This tragedy underscores a common challenge our nations face to defeat violent extremists that threatens us both and deepens our commitment to see Pakistan prosper as a strong democracy in a stable region," he said.
Earlier, condemning the attack, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said "we strongly condemn the violence and the actions, and I would point out that extremists in Pakistan have succeeded in killing Pakistanis, which I think hardens the view that has led to gains that have been made over the course of the year against the extremism by native Pakistanis."