Marriott Islamabad: not looking Islamagood

World leaders have been quick to voice their support for the Pakistani administration following yesterday’s massive suicide bomb blast outside the Marriott hotel in the country’s capital Islamabad. At least 54 people are so far believed to have been killed.

Western leaders joined with many of Pakistan’s neighbours in condemning the act, prompted by growing fears that increasingly devastating attacks could have a huge impact on the country’s manufacturing capacity. Many fear that the general climate of wild-eyed, abject terror among citizens afraid to travel to work, coupled with the likelihood of more attacks on “Western-friendly” targets such as clothing manufacturers, could lead to a hike in prices on commodities such as trainers and denim products.

In a statement issued to foreign press by the White House, President Bush offered his support to Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari saying “The perpetrators of this act of heinousnessity will not go unpunished. These cowards, who aim to terrorise the United States through the use of terror, and who want to destroy the way of life of every man woman and man in our great country, are going to pay dearly for their actions. The United States government will not stand idly by in and idle way while it’s children wander the streets barefoot for the want of cheap sneakers.”

President Zardari later thanked Bush in an open statement, though he did also remind his American counterpart that yesterday’s actions, believed to have been the work of the Pakistani Taleban, had little to no bearing on the U.S. and should not be used as an excuse to “stir up more shit”. President Bush was apparently too busy addressing the nation in a broadcast urging U.S. citizens to build nuclear shelters and purchase shares in Lockheed Martin to respond.