President Karzai Is Deeply Saddened By
the Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan
04/03/2005
Presidential Palace, Kabul - H.E. Hamid
Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is
deeply saddened by the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul
II.
In his reaction to the news, the President said:
"I am deeply saddened to hear this news. I and the Afghan
people value the tremendous contribution that His Holiness Pope
John Paul II has made to peace, tolerance and inter-faith understanding
across the world. We remember that during the years of Afghanistan's
occupation by the Soviet Union, the Pope raised his voice of
support to the Afghan people. He also urged the Afghan people
to build peace during the dark years of factional conflict and
interference in Afghanistan".
"The Pope was a religious leader for
the Catholics, but he was also a man with concern for all human
beings, working for harmony among religions and cultures. Today,
I am joined by the Afghan people in presenting our heartfelt
condolences to the Catholics around the world".
