Ukraine Parliament Holds Minute Silence At Bhutto Killing

KIEV, Ukraine -- The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday opened its afternoon session with a minute of silence to condemn the killing of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Yulia Tymoshenko (L) and Benazir Bhutto (R).
The former Soviet republic's legislature "wished to extend its condolences to the family of the deceased (Bhutto), and to the Pakistani people for their loss," said Arseny Yatseniuk, parliament speaker.

The Kiev reaction coming less than an hour after Bhutto's death was remarkably rapid by the normal standards of Ukrainian officialdom, which traditionally waits a day or more to issue regrets over the death of a foreign leaders.

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's newly-elected Prime Minister, has been seen by many observers as similar to Bhutto for coming to political prominence as a woman criticising corrupt government.

Source: DPA