WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. John Kerry today released the following statement in response to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's decision to resign:

"President Musharraf's decision to step aside is a welcome development for the people of Pakistan. His resignation is the latest reminder of the perils of this Administration's personality-driven foreign policy that turned a blind eye to Pakistan's people. President Bush and Vice President Cheney backed a discredited dictator, which has undercut our ability to work with the new government to eliminate the terrorist sanctuary that has reemerged in Pakistan's tribal areas. Pakistan's politicians must shift their focus from each other to preventing al Qaeda and Taliban forces from seeking safe havens from which to launch their next attacks. Over the long-term, the best way to fight extremism is for Pakistan's politicians to use this opportunity to strengthen their democracy and deliver an economic plan that can improve the lives of their people. This ultimately is their fight and their future, but for their sake and ours, America needs to help them succeed."

Sen. Kerry is a senior member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and chairs the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, which has jurisdiction over matters in Pakistan. Last week, Kerry spoke with the leadership of Pakistan's coalition government.

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