Pakistan's Bhutto assassinated

[doxieone]

Source: MSNBC

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in a suicide bombing that also killed at least 20 others at a campaign rally, a party aide and a military official said.

The death of the charismatic former prime minister threw the campaign for the Jan. 8 election into chaos and created fears of mass protests and an eruption of violence across the volatile south Asian nation, which has nuclear weapons and a support base for Muslim extremists.

"At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital where she was taken after the attack.

"She has been martyred," added party official Rehman Malik. Bhutto was 54.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22406555

---

Edited by Admin to add full news story because this is on the home page.

[spinbaby]

1. Keep us posted

;(

[rdm]

313. Its Bush's fault.

I mean, it has to be, right?

[City Lights]

322. You're a one-trick pony. eom

[rdm]

328. Sorry - you're right. I'll stop that. Pretty kitty!

[mdmc]

324. God bless her

[Sarah Ibarruri]

325. Hmmm.. I hadn't thought of it but who stands to gain the most from keeping a military govt there?

It certainly isn't Pakistan or Pakistanis.

[K Gardner]

2. Suicide bombing and possible gunfire leave Bhutto in critical conditon..

Possibly undergoing surgery at the moment. At least 20 dead.

Edited to add: Quote from anchor "There will be more turmoil in Pakistan than we can handle at the moment."

[saigon68]

89. Looks like John Negroponte and his thugs are propping up the Mush Man

[jwirr]

191. That is what I wondered about. Democracy is the last thing *ss &

company want in other countries - or ours for that matter.

[niceypoo]

195. Bush pledges to spread democracy

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush opened his second term Thursday with a promise to the people of the United States and the world -- vowing to promote democracy both at home and abroad.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/20/bush.speech/index.html

Ya, sure Bush, uhuh...

[Sarah Ibarruri]

326. Precisely. Bush's admin. wants only a military govt in Pakistan. nt

[musette_sf]

213. my thoughts exactly

i was reading a news article yesterday about how the US was going to be sending troops to Pakistan. i was all WTF? why would we do that?

all so clear now.

these scumbags are so fvcking transparent.

on edit: here we go, dated 12/26:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2007/12/musharrafs_woes_have_opened_a.html?nav=rss_blog

[Quakerfriend]

337. Yup. I had the same reaction when I heard that we would be

sending troops to Pakistan.

[whistle]

216. Exactly my thoughts, wasn't Negroponte in Pakistan recently?

RE: Friday, November 16, 2007
Negroponte Goes to Pakistan to Talk to Musharaf .... One criminal talking to another.

[whistle]

217. The fascists are clearly in charge

[durrrty libby]

3. They are saying she is in critical condition and undergoing surgery now

This is very bad

[XboxWarrior]

4. link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161489.stm

[durrrty libby]

7. That link is contrary..She is not safe. MSNBC said she is in critical condition

[hlthe2b]

5. Damn, damn, damn...

What truly horrendous news....

[cal04]

6. Pakistan's Bhutto badly wounded -husband

Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was seriously wounded in an attack after a rally in the city of Rawalpindi, her husband said.

"I was informed that she is badly injured," Asif Ali Zardari told Ary-One television from Dubai.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL316319.htm

[K Gardner]

8. "Bhutto was under the protection of Musharaf, just as the soldiers we

capture are under our protection and assumed to be safe." Did I hear that correctly from MSNBC? Does that strike anyone but me as ironic and blatant spin?

"Pakistan is in turmoil, situation is chaotic."

[ohio2007]

205. At one point last month they had her house surrounded with her inside

imo, the guns were not pointed towards the dorrs/windows but rather, the opposit way.
She demanded they leave and the force did withdraw.

[Blue Diadem]

9. MSNBC Link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22406555/

[K Gardner]

10. Benazir Bhutto has Died.

[Cooley Hurd]

11. MSNBC reporting her as dead

their breaking news banner

[Cooley Hurd]

12. CNN also reporting her death...

[K Gardner]

13. "If Pakistan erupts, a country with nuclear weapons dissolves into civil war."

It is being reported that this was clearly an assasination, as all people in the rally were checked thoroughly with metal detectors, etc., before being allowed in.

[radfringe]

23. It will erupt

in the worse possible way

[sabbat hunter]

69. the assasin

blew himself up after shooting Bhutto, which is what killed the other 20 people.

[gogogodzilla]

88. Metal detectors...

...don't detect explosives.

[Tempest]

227. They do detect guns and Butto was shot to death

The assassin blew himself up only after shooting Butto several times, including a fatal shot in the neck.

[formercia]

147. Rawalpindi is headquarters of the ISI

It was the most dangerous place for her to go in Pakistan.

She was apparently shot in the neck and head just before the bomb detonated.

Whoever did it wanted to make sure she was dead.

A very professional hit.

[Patsy Stone]

14. This is horrible.

A huge set back for peace and for Pakistan.

[Hepburn]

15. Bhutto is dead

Source: Breaking....MSNBC

Just announced on MSNBC.

No link yet.

---

OMG!!!!

[4dsc]

16. WTF??? n/t

[Hepburn]

19. Turn on MSNBC if you can....

....all over the news that there was a suicide bombing and gun fire at a rally...and she was critically injured ~~ first report ~~ and being rushed to the hospital.

Just reported that she is dead.

[AllieB]

17. Suicide bomb.

:-(

[Chipper Chat]

msnbc says shot in the neck

n/t

[durrrty libby]

18. Yes dead from suicide bomber attack

[ChairmanAgnostic]

25. bombs AND guns, in a heavily secured area.

that means the military, police, and security forces had their hand in this.

[WinkyDink]

30. Cf.: Indira Gandhi; Anwar Sadat. Maybe even JFK.

[mwb970]

39. Well, except that the JFK assassination came as a surprise.

The Bhutto assassination was easily predictable. Why, I predicted it myself! In contrast, the shot at JFK literally came out of the blue.

[JDPriestly]

254. Don't forget Rabin of Israel

Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy

[K Gardner]

38. Exactly. n/t

[Zynx]

73. Probably, but controlling a huge open air rally is difficult.

Guns are easy to sneak in and bombs aren't particularly difficult either.

[hlthe2b]

20. I woke up with some unexplicable sense of dread....

Now, I know why.... The legacy of those who try to change...... I find this devastating....:cry:

[LostinVA]

21. I KNEW they would kill her

*sigh*

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. Who are they?

:shrug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

27. two groups to whom she posed a danger:

ultra religious muslims.
Top military/corporate leaders, who feel threatened by her populism among moderate Pakis.

[Freddie Stubbs]

52. Do you believe that this was a joint operation, or was it just one?

:shrug:

[Progressive Radical]

96. Not sure, Freddie.

Could be one or both.

I'll posit a theory and this is only a theory (I'm still in shock so I might not be thinking correctly).

It could very well be a combined operation (or Musharref's forces LIHOPed it). This to appease the extremists and to get rid of a rival threatening his power. He solves two problems with one stone. If the extremists carried out the operation, Musharref has plausible deniability on his part. The extremists will gladly own up to their hand in it and so Musharref is in the clear, the extremists are happy and Musharref has rid himself of a political threat.

Musharref is no dumbass.

I suspect it is a combination of the extremists and government working together.

This is only my personal theory - but it makes sense for the moment.

[Diclotican]

242. Progressive Radical

Progressive Radical

Even if mr Musharaff don't know about the plot, and can say to be "innocent" in that way, the intelligence system in Pakistan is far more divided by religion, and politic than we may know. Musharaff have always had a hard time controlling ISI, because parts of the organization is far from under the control of the government.. Some say that the government just have control over ISI, not much more..

On the other hand, Bhutto may see it coming. Many of the extremist, was educated in the 1980s, when US was founding, and given free reign to the extremist in Pakistan... CIA founded the extremist who was fighting the Soviet in Afghanistan. Even a young man named Osama Bin Laden was reported to be financiered by Central Intelligence Agency, not directly, but by the organization the then young Bin Laden was a fundraiser for.. He was not so a great fighter, as a fundraiser for the organization he was part of..

This is not good news, this is a country who have been ruled by the military for almost 90% of the time, and this country, if the worst are to come can disintegrate into what comes Next.. And that in a country who have a unknown equipment of Nuclear Weapon, and I really fear that in the hands of extremist, the whole sub-continent can came into some really nasty wars... I do hope that "someone" steal the nuclear equipment, and give it to IA EA to store.. But If Murahaff falls, or are trowing into exile, he may not given the chance to destroy or take the nuclear bombs out of country.. It may end as it was doing in Iran in 1979, where US was put really on surprise when Shaen was trowing out, and a "extremist regime" was placed in power.. And we all know the problems who was coming into play then ...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad English, not my native language

[leveymg]

111. The ISI "beards", Same jihadi faction within Pak military backing UBL

Short-term result will be martial law crackdown. Civil war possible. Longer-term, further destabilization of Pakistani-US relations.

Very dangerous.

[wordpix]

156. you forgot to say possible massing of Indian troops on border with Pakistan

Pakistan is a nuclear threat to India, and who's guarding the nukes? Musharref is no longer in control of the army or anything else. He has "made peace" with extremists and here we are.

[slackmaster]

118. The people who think it's in their best interests to keep Pakistan a third-world shithole

:grr:

ultra religious muslims.
Top military/corporate leaders, who feel threatened by her populism among moderate Pakis.

Maybe others as well, both inside and outside the country.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

329. And the Bush administration. nt

[LostinVA]

31. Her enemies -- why are you trying to find something from nothing?

[Freddie Stubbs]

55. Which enemies?

Pervez Musharraf or Islamic militants?

[LostinVA]

65. Oh good grief

[Progressive Radical]

98. It is a legitimate question to ask, is it not? n/t

[LostinVA]

142. :eyes:

[Renew Deal]

268. You're acting childishly.

I know you can't see this, but maybe you will. You're acting like a smarmy baby.

[0007]

176. It indeed is a legitimate question. But in reality who had the most to

gain with her out of the way?

There are those that do not completely understand the situation in Pakistan.

[ptolle]

226. the perv

The president perv mush has the most to gain.This seems to me to be just the excuse/rationale the perv needs to reinstate military rule, postpone the elections and in general firm up his already dictatorial powers that much more and all with the likely backing of the busheviks.Unfortunately it's just as likely to spiral out of control leaving the world with a nation in complete disarray and nukes laying around for whoever comes to power, Al Qaeda likely as any.

[0007]

251. Pervez Musharraf will have the most to lose by this incident IMHO

Your logic does sound safe to speculate the destiny of Pakistan.

The U.S. is now saying that Pakistan is our closest ally in fighting the Taliban and yet Musharraf and Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan don't get along. Even junior and his dick can't bring them together. And we know that Musharraf was NOT too happy with the return of Bhutto to Pakistan.


The more money we give to Pakistan the more they ignore us. Go figure!

[ronnykmarshall]

103. That's the same thing I was thinking.

I knew when she went back home this was going to happen.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[K Gardner]

26. Bhutto put her safety in the hands of Musharraf, according to sources

close to her. Undercurrents of commentary so far, focusing on enhanced security at this rally, indicate feeling that this was a coordinated assasination.

[LostinVA]

33. Oh, I definitely agree

And I was afraid this would happen as soon as I heard she was back in Pakistan.

[mrigirl]

36. I agree also. Unbelievable!

[0007]

193. Cough cough

Goin' which ever way the wind blows is not necessarily a bad idea.

[mainegreen]

28. Here comes a bloodbath.

This is very bad news.
Many innocent people will get caught up in this.

[cal04]

29. Sky News Live

Sky News

http://news.sky.com/skynews/livenewsevents
Very sad news
saying she was shot in the neck and chest as she was getting in her vehicle

[K Gardner]

34. Excellent broadcast, thanks for the link. n/t

[rodeodance]

112. Topic subject JOE BIDEN - on PAKISTAN weeks ago

Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject JOE BIDEN - on PAKISTAN weeks ago
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3892015#3892015
3892015, JOE BIDEN - on PAKISTAN weeks ago
Posted by kad7777 on Thu Dec-27-07 08:42 AM

and awaiting a new statement from the Senator regarding the assination on Benazir Bhutto.
*****************************************************************************************

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgjftzwvrKw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRfAjxivRgM

[dave123williams]

273. Incorrect:

She was already in the vehicle, stuck her head out of the sunroof, and that was it. First a shooting, then a few moments later, the bombing. This, according to some rather crackerjack reporting from the NYT:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/world/asia/28pakistan.html?hp

[4dsc]

32. Very graphic footage being shown

I just viewed a shattered human head on the ground.. Not a very good site..

[HeeBGBz]

60. I saw that too, face, scalp and jawbone

Nice thing to view before morning coffee. :sarcasm:

[4dsc]

66. The suicide bomber perhaps??

Unless this poor chap was standing directly next to the bomber, I suspect this head is about all that's left of the suicide bomber..

[HeeBGBz]

74. That would be my guess n/t

[Le Taz Hot]

35. So horribly tragic.

n/t

[Prophet 451]

37. BBC link

According to the Beeb, it's confused, with a spokesman from her party saying she's dead and others saying she was only injured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7161590.stm

[K Gardner]

40. BBC: Bhutto shot in neck and chest as she got into vehicle, then gunman blew himself up.

From live Sky News, Pakistan

[SusanaMontana41]

41. Look for a coup

coming to a Pakistan near you.

RIP, Bhutto.

[K Gardner]

42. Look for an excuse for Junior to Intervene. For the good of the world, of course. nt

[SusanaMontana41]

44. Yup. But I don't think it will be overt support.

Too dangerous for "our guy" there.

[bluerum]

62. Are you kidding? BushCo indirectly sponsored this by supporting the Musharraf regime!

[salin]

82. Indirectly?

There was a story a few months ago that the US aid to help Mushareff was given in *direct* cash (millions, annually) with no paperwork, no accountability, and no strings attached.

Though, I hate to go in this direction of conversation at this moment - as it is time instead to focus on the tragic loss of a world leader. (Guess my reflexes to point out bushco infamy, wins out over my somberness)

What a horrendous event; I can not even begin to fathom what the aftermath might bring in Pakistan.

[SusanaMontana41]

92. Yes! Whatever happened to

Bush's pledge that the U.S. would make no distinction between terrorists and those who harbor them?

RIP Bhutto.

[Zynx]

105. A Pakistan intervention would be horrifically expensive in every sense.

This isn't something done half-assed. It would take an army far larger than we really have.

[jimlup]

43. So how did they breach security??

Security was pretty tight. Might have been someone on the "inside".

[MaineDem]

45. Possibly

But it seems everyone was funneled out of the venue through one exit. That's where they were targeted. That seems odd in hindsight.

[K Gardner]

46. It wasn't a breach. It was an assasination. Watch for marshall law again, and no elections. n/t

[SusanaMontana41]

47. Exactly. n/t

[whirlygigspin]

54. now comes the outrage...

you see why you can't appease any fundamentalist?

damn them all to hell

[Zynx]

100. Fundamentalists do not offer anything positive to the world.

Christian, Muslim, or otherwise.

[TankLV]

149. Now that has got to be the understatement of the moment as well as year...

[jwirr]

199. Agreed.

[marshall]

263. Well, on the bright side

It's been a long time since Christian fundamentalists haven't wielded the type of widespread power and terror that the Muslims do today. My Jewish ancestors were run out of Spain and then Italy before they finally found refuge in England during the Spanish Inquisition. Thankfully things have been kept in check since then, at least as far as the religious terrorism is concerned.

[FormerDittoHead]

110. Of course. I guess the general will have to keep his uniform on..

Or another Bush puppet will be doing the same job...

Last thing we can have is a democratic government which doesn't want to give bushCo their business!

[jayfish]

138. As If He REALLY Ever Took It Off -NT-

Jay

[RaleighNCDUer]

101. Not unlikely. The dirty secret about Pakistan for years has been the

ties between factions in the Pakistani security forces and the Islamic radicals, the Taliban and mujahadin.

IMO, the only surprise about this is that it hadn't happened sooner.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

332. No, actually, the dirty secret is how close their fascist govt is to ours, and how well....

.... they work together.

[formercia]

185. Rawalpindi is a military town and the old capitol.

I've been there a number of times and it was always crawling with military and ISI.

Everything was already in place.

The wolves were guarding the sheep.

The powers that be probably took it as a severe insult that she would go there for a rally.

[bitchkitty]

48. Horrible, so frightening.

It seems obvious that this was an "inside job" - how else could they get close enough?

Picture of her:

[K Gardner]

51. Thank you for posting that picture. I've dreaded this day for years. She has been

an absolute inspiration for people all over the world, not only in her country. What a beautiful and brave woman she was. Imagine the people of Pakistan now feeling what we felt when JFK/RFK or MLK were killed.

[frankf]

132. She was totally corrupt.

And her husband was even worse. Putting her in the same category as JFK or MLK is laughable.

[Name removed]

143. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MaineDem]

154. Maybe a low post count but a legitimate point.

Even newcomers have something to offer.

[Maddy McCall]

181. Yes.

I can't stand to see someone discount another's argument based on nothing but the post count.

If there's a debate to be had, and if they are capable of debate, they should debate the point and steer away from ad hominem crap.

[jwirr]

201. Links would help.

[Maddy McCall]

207. Look up three posts.

[ellisonz]

287. Here you go:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-bhutto14nov14,0,2482408.story?coll=la-opinion-center

http://www.samsloan.com/benazir.htm

[Sarah Ibarruri]

330. Wow, a disgruntled niece with a heart of gold, dissing her just deceased aunt...

That niece sounds like a real peach! (A rotten peach)

[ellisonz]

335. Aww...the politics of personal destruction.

She "dissed" her aunt long before she died if you actually looked at the date on the article.

Furthermore, she's right about her fathers murder never having been sufficiently explained and Fatima Bhutto is far from a rotten peach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatima_Bhutto

Now speaking of rotten peaches...:eyes:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

352. Okay, read it....

This pretty much explained to me this woman's motivations:


"Her name is frequently mentioned as a future player in Pakistani politics."

[DissedByBush]

314. Wikipedia

The Wikipedia article on Bhutto is full of links to her corruption. She skimmed off contracts and got kickbacks to make her and her family very rich.

It says something for Musharraf's desire for an eventual democracy that he actually let her back into the country and dropped all Pakistani investigations into her corruption. Don't see that as a sign she was innocent since she was already convicted of money laundering in Switzerland and the evidence from European countries for other crimes was overwhelming. Musharraf gave her amnesty for her crimes.

[IsItJustMe]

269. Wow. Are you for real? You can take your self righteous indignation and peddle it somewhere else,

because I am not buying into it. I am getting use to posters coming out of the wood work, giving no links, making blanket statements and then disappearing back into the wood work.

Guess you have never noticed that. I call it as I see it.

[Maddy McCall]

309. .

[Cronopio]

211. When they make dogmatic points without attempting to express a rationale ...

... or provide backing evidence, no they don't have a legitimate point.

That's what trolls do.

[IsItJustMe]

271. Bingo!!! You made my point. I was just trying to state it diplomatically. I see it all the time

here. I Especially notice it when hot news items are breaking. Guess some folks miss the boat on the trend.

Thank You for stating the seemingly obvious.

[Tempest]

231. He's right though

Butto had to cut a deal with Mushy just to get back into Pakistan without being arrested and tried on corruption charges.

[Turbineguy]

157. Welcome to DU!

[Stand and Fight]

198. State your case and ignore the haters.

You bring up a valid point. However, not at a valid time in my opinion...

She does not deserve to be on the same level as JFK, RFK, John Lennon, or MLK for that matter. I simply feel this is not the time to go into that. She was assassinated and that is thoroughly disgusting.

[Maddy McCall]

209. When is the acceptible time to discuss negative aspects of the dead?

Especially considering as politically charged a person as Bhutto was?

[dave123williams]

274. You do understand that all three were assisinated, right?

[Evoman]

284. Putting JFK and MLK in the same category is laughable as well.

It had to be said.

[uppityperson]

291. Putting JFK and MLK in the same category is laughable.

speaking of corrupt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

327. She was a goddess compared with the Bush-approved fascist freak that controls Pakistan nt

[alphadog]

336. oh, right, b/c JFK was a saint

Putting JFK in the "not corrupt" category is equally, if not more, laughable.

[defendandprotect]

339. And, JFK was so bad that he deserved what he got --- ????

[ohio2007]

306. ? she mingles with the people. Stands up in a car w/out bullet proof glass

she knew it would happen especially in the area where the Taliban had a stronghold.
They hate women for starters.
They hate women that are in a position of power over men......

[defendandprotect]

340. It's doubtful that the "people" did this --- goverenment/Musharraf -Bushco did it --- !!!

[w8liftinglady]

49. I find it interesting that the people MNBC are interviewing are Albright and Clark

Two people who are actually informed and know what they are talking about.Albright was excellent in her analysis

[acmavm]

57. What did Allbright say? I'm at work. I'm also dying to know what

they thought about this.

[jimlup]

63. Albright explained how it was a loss for democracy

As it indeed was :(

[DemEyeDick]

50. So Sad...

I hope the people of Pakistan can keep this under control. The needless shedding of blood is always present. Maybe they can show the world how to lead by setting an example of how to behave. I wish the best for everyone over there.

[napi21]

53. Somebody's been trying to kill her eer since she returned to Pakistan.

Politics in that country is insane!

[Xipe Totec]

56. Here is a link.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071227/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_123

[Laf.La.Dem.]

58. Do not worry

Do not worry our great leader is on this problem:sarcasm: :grr:

[bitchkitty]

59. A terrible irony -

She was killed at the gates to Liaquat Bagh park - that's where her father was killed:

RAWALPINDI, Dec 26: The unkempt grass at the site of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s hanging lay withered on Wednesday as Rawalpindi waited for his daughter Benazir Bhutto to bring her campaign close to the seat of power she is eyeing in the Jan 8 elections.

Thursday’s will be Ms Bhutto’s first public rally at the famous Liaquat Bagh park since her return from more than eight years of self-exile in October and is expected by her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to be a boost for its election campaign not only in this important city and nearby Islamabad but also in northern Punjab.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/12/27/top15.htm

[K Gardner]

61. OMG.. I did not know that. He was hanged there. n/t

[defendandprotect]

245. Here's something on her father's political career --

President of Pakistan
As president, Bhutto addressed the nation via radio and television, saying "My dear countrymen, my dear friends, my dear students, labourers, peasants… those who fought for Pakistan… We are facing the worst crisis in our country's life, a deadly crisis. We have to pick up the pieces, very small pieces, but we will make a new Pakistan, a prosperous and progressive Pakistan." He placed Yahya under house arrest, brokered a ceasefire and ordered the release of Sheikh Mujib, who was held prisoner by the army. To implement this, Bhutto reversed the verdict of Mujib's court trial that had taken place earlier, in which the presiding Brigadier Rahimuddin Khan (later General) had sentenced Mujib to death. Appointing a new cabinet, Bhutto appointed Gen. Gul Hasan as Chief of Army Staff. On January 2, 1972 Bhutto announced the nationalisation of all major industries, including iron and steel, heavy engineering, heavy electricals, petrochemicals, cement and public utilities.<7> A new labour policy was announced increasing workers rights and the power of trade unions. Although he came from a feudal background himself, Bhutto announced reforms limiting land ownership and a government take-over of over a million acres (4,000 km²) to distribute to landless peasants. More than 2,000 civil servants were dismissed on charges of corruption.<7> Bhutto also dismissed the military chiefs on March 3 after they refused orders to suppress a major police strike in Punjab. He appointed Gen. Tikka Khan as the new Chief of the Army Staff in March 1972 as he felt the General would not interfere in political matters and would concentrate on rehabilitating the Pakistan Army. Bhutto convened the National Assembly on April 14, rescinded martial law on April 21 and charged the legislators with writing a new constitution.

Bhutto visited India to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and negotiated a formal peace agreement and the release of 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. The two leaders signed the Shimla Agreement, which committed both nations to establish a Line of Control in Kashmir and obligated them to resolve disputes peacefully through bilateral talks.<8><7> Bhutto also promised to hold a future summit for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and pledged to recognise Bangladesh.<9> Although he secured the release of Pakistani soldiers held by India, Bhutto was criticised by many in Pakistan for allegedly making too many concessions to India. It is theorised that Bhutto feared his downfall if he could not secure the release of Pakistani soldiers, the return of territory occupied by Indian forces.<10> Bhutto established an atomic power development programme and inaugurated the first Pakistani atomic reactor, built in collaboration with Canada in Karachi on November 28. In January 1973, Bhutto ordered the army to suppress a rising insurgency in the province of Balochistan and dismissed the governments in Balochistan and the Northwest Frontier Province.<7> On March 30, 59 military officers were arrested by army troops for allegedly plotting a coup against Bhutto, who appointed then-Brigadier Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq to head a military tribunal to investigate and try the suspects. The National Assembly approved the new constitution, which Bhutto signed into effect on April 12. The constitution proclaimed an "Islamic Republic" in Pakistan with a parliamentary form of government.<11> On August 10, Bhutto turned over the post of president to Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, assuming the office of prime minister instead.<7>

Bhutto officially recognised Bangladesh in July. Making an official visit to Bangladesh, Bhutto was criticised in Pakistan for laying flowers at a memorial for Bangladeshi "freedom fighters." Bhutto continued to develop closer relations with China as well as Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations. Bhutto hosted the Second Islamic Summit of Muslim nations in Lahore between February 22 and February 24 in 1974.

However, Bhutto faced considerable pressure from Islamic religious leaders to declare the Ahmadiya communities as non-Muslims. Failing to restrain sectarian violence and rioting, Bhutto and the National Assembly amended the constitution to that effect. Bhutto intensified his nationalisation programme, extending government control over agricultural processing and consumer industries. Bhutto also, with advice from Admiral S.M. Ahsan, inaugurated Port Qasim, designed to expand harbour facilities near Karachi. However, the performance of the Pakistani economy declined amidst increasing bureaucracy and a decline in private sector confidence. In a surprise move in 1976, Bhutto appointed Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq to replace Gen. Tikka Khan, surpassing five generals senior to Zia.<12>


Nuclear Program
Bhutto was the founder of Pakistan's nuclear program. Its militarization was initiated in January 1972 and, in its initial years, was implemented by General Tikka Khan. Under his leadership, Pakistan developed into the first Muslim State with a nuclear capability. In his book If I am Assassinated, written from his prison cell, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto revealed how Henry Kissinger had said to him in 1976: "We will make an example of you." Kissinger had warned Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that if Pakistan continued with its nuclear program the Prime Minister would have to pay a heavy price, a statement some take to indicate an American hand in Mr. Bhutto's trial and execution.


Popular unrest and Military Coup
Bhutto began facing considerable criticism and increasing unpopularity as his term progressed.<13>. Initially targeting leader of the opposition Abdul Wali Khan and his opposition National Awami Party (NAP). Despite the ideological similarity of the two parties the clash of egos both inside and outside the National Assembly became increasingly fierce and started with the Federal governments decision to oust the NAP provincial government in Balochistan for alleged secessionist activities<14> and culminating in the banning of the party and arrest of much of its leadership after the death of Hayat Khan Sherpao, a close lieutenant of Bhutto, in a bomb blast in the frontier town of Peshawar.

Dissidence also increased within the PPP and the murder of dissident leader Ahmed Raza Kasuri's father led to public outrage and intra-party hostility as Bhutto was accused of masterminding the crime. Powerful PPP leaders such as Ghulam Mustafa Khar openly condemned Bhutto and called for protests against his regime. The political crisis in the NWFP and Balochistan intensified as civil liberties remained suspended and an estimated 100,000 troops deployed there were accused of human rights abuses and killing large numbers of civilians.<7>

On January 8, 1977 a large number of opposition political parties grouped to form the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA).<7> Bhutto called fresh elections and the PNA participated in those elections with full force and managed to contest the elections jointly even though they had grave differences in their opinions and views. The PNA faced defeat but did not accept the results, accusing their opponents of rigging the election. They first claimed rigging on 14 seats and finally on 40 seats in the national assembly and boycotted provisional elections turn out in national elections was of highiest degree. Provincial elections were held amidst low voter turnout and an opposition boycott, violent PNA declare the newly-elected Bhutto government as illegitimate. Muslim leaders such as Maulana Maududi called for the overthrow of Bhutto's regime.<13> Intensifying political and civil disorder prompted Bhutto to hold talks with PNA leaders, which culminated in an agreement for the dissolution of the assemblies and fresh elections under a form of government of national unity.<15> However on July 5, 1977 Bhutto and members of his cabinet were arrested by troops under the order of General Zia.<7>

General Zia announced that martial law had been imposed, the constitution suspended and all assemblies dissolved. Zia also ordered the arrest of senior PPP and PNA leaders but promised elections in October. Bhutto was released on July 29 and was received by a large crowd of supporters in his hometown of Larkana. He immediately began touring across Pakistan, delivering speeches to large crowds and planning his political comeback. Bhutto was arrested again on September 3 before being released on bail on September 13. Fearing yet another arrest, Bhutto named his wife, Nusrat, president of the Pakistan People's Party. Bhutto was imprisoned on September 17 and a large number of PPP leaders and activists arrested and disqualified from contesting in elections.


Trial and execution

Nusrat Bhutto became the PPP's leader after her husband's arrest and execution.Bhutto's trial began on October 24 on charges of "conspiracy to murder" Ahmed Raza Kasuri.<16> The prosecution produced a witness in Masood Mahmood, who had been the chief of the Federal Security Force under Bhutto. Mr Mahmood testified that Bhutto had ordered the killing of Kasuri. Four men who were arrested and charged as Kasuri's assassins testified to confirm Mahmood's testimony. Bhutto charged that the army had fabricated the evidence and accused the Justice Maulvi Mushtaq Ali of taking orders from Zia.<17> The Lahore High Court sentenced Bhutto to death on March 18, 1978; he was also to pay Rs. 25,000 in fines or face six months rigorous imprisonment. (It is not clear whether the two sentences were to be concurrent or consecutive: clearly the fine could be collected posthumously, but there are obvious difficulties in imprisoning a dead man.)

While General Zia published a white paper accusing Bhutto of rigging the 1977 elections, the Supreme Court of Pakistan agreed to hear Bhutto's appeal. Chief Justice S. Anwarul Haq adjourned the court until the end of July 1978, supposedly because 5 of the 9 appeals court judges were willing to overrule the Lahore verdict. One of the pro-Bhutto judges was due to retire in July. Chief Justice S. Anwarul Haq presided over the trial, despite being close to Zia, even serving as Acting President when Zia was out of the country. Bhutto's lawyers managed to secure for Bhutto the right to conduct his own defense before the Supreme Court. On December 18, 1978, Bhutto made his appearance in public before a packed courtroom in Rawalpindi and addressed the court for four days continuously. On February 6, 1979 the Supreme Court, in an ethnic split,<18> upheld the verdict by a narrow 4-3 vote. Bhutto appealed to the court to review its decision, but the plea was rejected on March 24.

International pressure had mounted on General Zia to commute Bhutto's death sentence. Despite personal appeals from various heads of state, Zia refused to commute the sentence. Bhutto was executed by hanging in the early hours of the morning of April 4. Immediately after his hanging, there were violent protests in Pakistan, many of whom felt that Zia should meet the same fate.<19> His remains were taken to Larkana, where he was buried in a public ceremony near his family home.


Criticism and legacy
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto remains a controversial figure in Pakistan. While he was hailed for being a nationalist, Bhutto was roundly criticised for opportunism and intimidating his political opponents. He oversaw Pakistan's nuclear programme, held peace talks with neighbour India and was more of an Internationalist with a secular image.<7> His socialist policies are blamed for slowing down Pakistan's economic progress owing to poor productivity and high costs. Bhutto is also criticised for human rights abuses perpetrated by the army in Balochistan.<7> Many in Pakistan's military, notably the current president Gen. Pervez Musharaf and former martial law administrator of Balochistan General Rahimuddin Khan condemn Bhutto for having caused the crisis that led to the creation of Bangladesh. In spite of all the criticism -- and subsequent media trials -- Bhutto still remains the most popular leader of the country.<20> <7> Bhutto's action against the insurgency in Balochistan is blamed for causing widespread civil dissent and calls for secession. <21>

[defendandprotect]

259. A Populist Party, Secular, Nationalism . . . a few enemies!!

Certainly, this would be no friend of Bushco!

[dave123williams]

275. This actually comes up in 'Charlie Wilson's War' - weird

[defendandprotect]

351. Evidently, the movie isn't telling the truth about Afghanistan . . . ???

Brz says that WE went into Afghanistan 6 months before the Russians were there ---

"in order to bait the Russians in" . . .
"in hopes of giving them a Vietnam-type experience" . . .

This is the kind of thinking that has been leading our nation --- !!!

[xchrom]

64. Peace be with Pakistan and Peace be with her family. nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

67. sigh. Can we rule out our CIA?

[Zynx]

70. Considering she was anti-Radical I don't see how this benefits us much.

We lobbied to some extent for her return.

[RaleighNCDUer]

350. I guess that would depend on which 'we' you are talking about.

The 'we' who would like to see secular democratic governments in the region, or the 'we' that is dependent upon continued strife and constant warfare to justify the huge military contracts 'we' are profiting by.

[Xipe Totec]

71. Yes

The CIA may be evil, but not stupid.

[The Backlash Cometh]

77. I just don't understand their agenda. If they are involved with drug

trafficking in this country, then, I can't see how they are anything but evil. But that's my moral litmus test. I'm sure there are plenty in the CIA who are good. I just think it's time to phase out the nutcases who can't figure out a better way to achieve their purpose without resorting to dirty tricks and torture.

[TankLV]

159. The law of unintended consequences perhaps?

Don't put anything past the CRMINIALLY INCOMPETANT AND NEGLIGENT who are in positions of power in OUR country...

thanks repukes...fuck you all to hell...

God how I wish Clinton were still president - peace hope & prosperity are so LAST century...

[Xipe Totec]

312. Despite that eloquent riposte,

I still believe other entities have a lot more to gain from the assassination of Butho, than Chimpie ot the Langley Keystone cops.

[JonathanZ1982]

318. Bush has an interest in keeping Mushararf in power

so why wouldn't the CIA be a suspect in her death?

[Xipe Totec]

333. Because, putatively,

The CIA still works for the interests of the USA, and knows that the chimp's days are numbered.

The Company is an institution. The Chimp is just a transient.

[harun]

334. I think it very unlikely

The U.S. gave Bhutto the push to get back to Pakistan. A bunch of aid last week towards Pakistan was signed in to law with stipulations that Pakistan start to move away from being a military dictatorship and at least pretend to be a democracy or the money would be witheld. B*sh had everything to gain from Pakistan looking like a democracy with real candidates. The two most prominent candidates (Sharrif and Bhutto) were both former Primer Ministers, so it wasn't like a big change was coming, just a move from Musharaf to Musharaf Light.

Regardless of the back door deals going on I have to give credit to Bhutto. She was very wealthy and didn't need to go back to Pakistan to have a comfortable life. She knew they would try to kill her and possibly even succeed. Yet she went and stood up to them anyway. You got to take your hat off to that.

[Kucinich4America]

79. Yeah, this was probably an internal ISI operation

Not to say it wasn't pre-approved by the CIA though.

[The Backlash Cometh]

84. That's what I'm saying.

[Zynx]

97. Normally there would be a clear motive.

The Allende coup had a clear motive, the Goulart coup had a clear motive. What is the motive here? There is none.

[yardwork]

122. Unless the motive was a business deal between bushco and Musharaff

I wouldn't put it past Cheney to help this happen if it would benefit a business deal between him and Musharaff.

[Pale Blue Dot]

133. Read "The Shock Doctrine".

A Bhutto win in the election may have derailed Freidmanesque, neocon "Free market" reforms going on in that country right now.

This absolutely fits into a pattern of behavior, although of course it is way too early to know for sure.

[The Backlash Cometh]

152. There it is, in a nutshell. Well summed up.

[Zynx]

224. By making her and her party martyrs? I don't see it.

[defendandprotect]

341. Sometimes they prefer a dead "martyr" to a live heroine ---

[The Backlash Cometh]

148. Creating a martyr that, with a little help from the outrage megaphone,

might be exploited to stir the public up a bit? You don't think that's in the CIA book of secrets? You don't think that people will be calling for retaliation against the very people that the CIA want eliminated? And now, with Bhutto out of the way, they can actually pick someone that doesn't have her strong vision and might be a little more malleable to work with?

Now, you might call me a conspiracy theorist, or you can just say the CIA has done too much wrong for too long and is now considered, one of the usual suspects.

[DissedByBush]

315. Al Qaeda?

They've been after her head for a while.

[defendandprotect]

221. First the coin, then the deed ---

US/CIA passes along many a coin ---

[QC]

How would they benefit? n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

150. See message 148

[RestoreGore]

68. Per Current TV: Benazir Bhutto Killed During Suicide Bombing

http://current.com/items/88800583_breaking_news_benazir_bhutto_killed_during_suicide_bombing

[KiraBS]

72. The BBC and ITN say that she was killed...

N/T

[YOY]

75. Why is it every silver lining seems to be torn to pieces these days by monsters

Warmest thoughts to her friends, supporters, and family...

[cal04]

76. Sky News: Reaction immediate

gunshots from enraged supporters where she lived
Sharif arrived at hospital and sat next to her body, vows to fight her war
protests at the hospital, smashing glass doors to the emergency room
shouting insults at Musharaf, they didn't pay head to requests for jammers
some commentators talking about civil war, backlash

[K Gardner]

78. "Major National Security Implications in Play Now" - MSNBC

[DinahMoeHum]

80. Benazir Bhutto = Pakistani version of Begnino Aquino (Philippines) ???

Aquino, an opposition leader, been returning to the Philippines after imprisonment and exile by Ferdinand Marcos's government. On August 21, 1983, Aquino was murdered by Marcos's goons at the Manila airport upon his arrival on Philippine soil. This marked the beginning of the end of Marcos's government rule. Could a similar situation happen in Pakistan? Stay tuned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benigno_Aquino,_Jr.

[Zynx]

85. There will be a massive popular backlash against Musharraf and the radicals

as well.

[AngryOldDem]

120. Yep --

And is it that much of a stretch to assume their complicity? Don't think so.

This will be very, very bad.

[closeupready]

168. I think so, too.

n/t

[TankLV]

162. No - not with the IDIOT crazy ISLAMIC fundies in charge there...

The Philippines was a totally different situation - the fundies didn't have any influence - The Philippines was a predominantly Catholic country with a veneal corrupt SECULAR leader in the Marcoses...

The crazy Islamic fundies will see to it that Pakistan's immediate future is one of extreme bloodshed...

[TechBear_Seattle]

81. Why does Archduke Franz Ferdinand suddenly come to mind? n/t

[K Gardner]

83. A lot of things are coming to our minds right now. I think most of us are just afraid to voice them.

I can't bear the thought of what we're going to hear from the neocons in the days and weeks to follow.

[coalition_unwilling]

278. Bush will use this as a pretext to invade Mexico or Cuba - n/t

[Progressive Radical]

108. I thought the exact same thing!!!

See my post below.

This is quite ominous. A truly tragic event with huge implications.

[gmoney]

135. Yeah, I thought the same thing... (eotwawki)

eotwawki - end of the world as we know it

[K Gardner]

86. US Intelligence: No Idea Who is Behind Assasination, but has all the earmarks of "AlQaeda". Good

lord. Of course, that's where we're going.

[MaineDem]

90. Have they blamed JFK's assassination on Al Queda yet?

Good lord indeed! I'd look to Musharraf before I'd name Al Queda. How can we possible say that?!

[ButterflyBlood]

243. Suicide bombings seem more al qaeda style

n/t

[druidity33]

311. really?

i think not. If you read the article, you'll note she was shot in the "head and chest" before she was blown up. Sounds more like CiA style to make sure they're dead before you blow up all the evidence...


:shrug:

btw... n/t is placed in the subject line to denote "no text" in the body of the message.

[salin]

91. What would be the motive for al qeada?

I have come to be so cynical, that when I read that of course I think, great already bushco is ready to exploit this horrendous event with propoganda, that on the surface makes no sense.

[Zynx]

93. She was a secular woman who sought to secularize the country.

Al-Qaeda wants no part of that. Not to mention the idea of a woman governing them is offensive.

Also, having followed this with a great deal of interest from the time Bhutto came back, we were backing Bhutto's return. I can't think of anything we would gain.

[rodeodance]

99. She was viewed as being very close to the US--and a women and secular!

[salin]

104. not suggesting "we" had a role, or thus anything to gain... suggesting the claim

of "al qeada" at fault - strikes me as quick response (exploiting the event) for propoganda ala - see, the GWOT is on and we need to keep electing GOPers to fight the GWOT. My comment was specific to the rhetoric used per US media and the WH.

I see your point per al qeada motive, and if this were a lone actor, it very well could be. However, it would seem that there are many with more power and access with greater motives.

[SusanaMontana41]

117. "Many more with greater motives"

I agree and just can't see this as an al-Qaida operation. More likely an inside job, as someone posted here earlier.

[Zynx]

128. What greater motives?

Most political violence is at the street level and with very little greater motivation. Let's exclude the Kennedy assassination for a moment to avoid that can of worms and look at the previous three U.S. political assassinations. Lincoln, killed by renegade southerners. Garfield, killed by a disgruntled civil servant. McKinley, killed by a crazy anarchist. There was no conspiracy in any of those. Why do people assume that all modern political assassinations are some great evil conspiracy when none of these were?

[salin]

139. You can not erase the context of the past several months

and the reaction of the current regime to try to squelch unrest that was growing (per the martial law) which indicates a fear of losing of power.

I am not suggesting a big conspiracy. Just there is a local *current* context suggesting that there could be a loss of power at the top in the upcoming elections, and that I think it is more likely an attempt to stave off such a loss of power.

But I could be wrong.

If it was local, individual, why "al qeada"? They are not that big of a presence in Pakistan (outside of the border areas near Afghanistan). Wouldn't it more likely be a local radical fundamentalist? I was just reacting to the tagging it in the US media as 'al qeada'. Sort of like during early in the surge where suddenly "most of the attacks" were being blamed on "al qeada in iraq" - while that was greatly refuted by those in Iraq.

[defendandprotect]

229. Naive . . . of course JFK, MLK, RFK were all establishment killings ---

Just as an attempt to assassinate FDR would have been had that plot not been stopped ---

Lincoln's assassination, of course, was also political with many forces at play --

[coalition_unwilling]

280. There was a conspiracy in Lincoln's assassination. John Wilkes Booth

conspired with a small group of others to kill Lincoln and other members of the Republican administration.

Only Lincoln was assassinated. However, even though it was a failed conspiracy, it was still a conspiracy.

[LiberalUprising]

297. AHHHH the old "lone gunman" theory

Can't believe that one still works

[TechBear_Seattle]

123. They're evil and the hate America. What other excuse is needed?

Now, keep staring at the screen and don't forget to scream at Emmanuel Goldstein. The Two Minute Hate is not over yet.

[Zynx]

153. To be perfectly honest, radical Muslims are capable of extreme violence.

We have seen it before. It is not a phantom threat. Granted, Republicans tend to vastly overstate it and have completely the wrong perscription, but it does exist as a threat.

[TechBear_Seattle]

166. And radical Christians are not?

We've seen that, too; it is not a phantom threat. Granted, Republicans (and Democrats) tend to vastly understate it and have completely the wrong prescription, but it does exist as a threat.

Religion is merely an excuse, not the cause, and Americans are just as guilty of using religion as an excuse to commit atrocities.

[Zynx]

172. I am not saying they aren't, but that doesn't legitimate Muslim violence.

That's like if I said "Nazis were horrible" and then someone says "So were Communists".

[leftynyc]

203. Oy - again with the cultural relativism?

In the current year, in our current history, there is simply no comparison. Let me know when calling Christ anything untoward will result in bombings and riots? This was done by murderous thugs who thought the idea of being led by a woman was unacceptable. The chimp is simply not responsible for every ill in this world. Fundamentalist Islam is the problem.

[TechBear_Seattle]

236. You prove my point admirably

Hate people because of their religion. Denigrate them and blame their faith for all the atrocities they may commit. People are not evil or driven to evil acts because of ideology, but because of theology.

Fundamentalist Islam, fundamentalist Judaism, fundamentalist Christianity, fundamentalist corporatism, fundamentalist communism, fundamentalist ANYTHING is the problem. YOU are the one being relativist, by saying, "MY religion is not as bad as THEIR religion." Bullshit, I say.

[leftynyc]

261. Actually, I'm not a Christian

Right now, it's fundamentalist Islam that threatens me (I'm a New Yorker and a woman). I don't hate anybody - it's the way the religion is getting interpreted that's the problem. And if you don't think that the way these animals treat women, the way they deal with those that disagree with them is a problem, you're just minimizing what is a real live threat to millions of women. If you are a woman, please ask yourself whether you'd like to live in a country that is ruled by Sharia law or in a country who's biggest religion issue is if there is a war on Christmas. I'm done with trying to reason with those that refuse to see a difference

[Le Taz Hot]

144. Total speculation, of course, but

it dawned on me earlier that if the Islamic fundies were to set this up, it could easily be blamed on Musharraff (sp?) as Bhotto (sorry, my spelling is atrocious this morning) was in open, direct opposition against the General and the assumption would automatically be that he was behind it. Again, total speculation on my part and I'm sure it's probably far more complicated than that.

[Zynx]

175. That's not a crazy thought at all.

Her killing will only weaken Musharraf.

[SyntaxError]

266. hah everything is Al Qeada...

I find it funny how everything gets blamed on them... even in areas in which there as been terrorism for decades...

I find it even more annoying how people actually buy into it too... I don't even consider myself to be some extreme cynic either.... I just can't stand bullshit.

[Javaman]

177. Then they will connect it somehow someway to Iran..

even thought al qaeda is Sunni and Iran Shiite.

but that doesn't matter to the spin makers or the mouth breathers here.

I can hear the words now from moron*, "a horrible attack by the forces of evil has attacked and upset the "democratic" process in Pakistan. It shows that these evildoers will stop at nothing. Pakistan needs our help, that is why I have just signed a resolution approving an attack on Iran"...

so an extremest in Pakistan assassinates someone there, it's so obvious that the next logical step is Iran. :eyes:

Wait for it...

[defendandprotect]

225. Except Islamic extremists, Taliban/AlQaeda are all US/CIA financed operations ---

[Progressive Radical]

87. When I first saw this on the news, my first thought was this was extremely bad.

Aside from the personal tragedy, my first thought was this will have very huge implications. In the split second thought exercise, I couldn't appreciate why or how but that this was a huge event - and I'm talking about assassination of Archduke Ferdinand type of repercussions.

I hope that this is not the case, but I have a very bad feeling about this.

Aside from that, I mourn this woman's death. What a courageous person. The good always die at the hands of scum.

I don't know what else to say; I'm still in shock.

[rodeodance]

94. Bhutto Assassinated

[IDemo]

95. US already announced an increase of special forces to Pakistan before this, now what?

More US special forces to aid fight against insurgents

Ewen MacAskill in Washington
Tuesday November 20, 2007
The Guardian

The US is seeking to beef up Pakistan's counter-insurgency efforts in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan by expanding an American special forces team in the country to train the Frontier Corps and recruiting local militias to take on the insurgents.

The aim is to replicate the Iraq model, in which the Americans recruited, financed and armed local militias against insurgents, firstly in Anbar province and then elsewhere in the country.

US special forces at present only go to Pakistan for six-week trips. The intention is that from early next year they will be there for longer assignments, mainly in a training and advisory role, though combat is not ruled out.

The US has about 50 troops in Pakistan at present and the intention is to add at least dozens more.

The Pentagon also wants to turn Pakistan's 85,000-strong Frontier Corps, which at present is underfunded and less well armed than the insurgents, into a force capable of striking back at Taliban, al-Qaida and other militant groups in the tribal areas.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,,2213925,00.html

[saigon68]

109. Now Cheney's Halliburton can enter the Country

Look at your wallets getting picked clean

[yardwork]

125. That was my first thought as well.

[salin]

127. has the bushco era made us cynical, or what?

But then again - already Rudy is using this horrific event to boost his campaign numbers by playing on 911! 911! 911!

[yardwork]

129. All they care about is money and power. They have no decency.

[IDemo]

130. First things first

Blackwater, then Halliburton.

[DaveT]

160. Bingo!

Without hard facts -- and with little likelihood of ever getting reliable hard facts about this assassination -- we are naturally asking the first question in both criminal investigations and detective fiction: we look for a motive.

As I read down this thread, I was surprised to see people wondering how the US or at least our current government could benefit from this. I think most people, even most progressives, have still not absorbed the signficance of our government starting two wars with insufficient force to win either of them. Six years into the War That Will Last 40 or 50 Years, and we are being told the "good news" that the surge has worked -- and for that reason we have to stay on in Iraq. No matter what the news, the lesson is always the same. We have to stay on.

And the money keeps going down the rat hole, hundreds of billions of dollars per year. Coincidence? Personally, I don't think so.

Trouble in Pakistan? Could not be better for either the DoD Contractors -- or for the PNAC intellectuals who want America to spend the next two generations establishing a new order across the Middle East.



This is not to say anything about the specifics of Benezir Bhutto's murder. I have no specific reason to point the finger at anybody. But in assessing possible suspects on the basis of motive -- yeah, our current government makes the list.

[louis-t]

249. Might as well just call it 'Cheneyburton'

'N stuff.

[coalition_unwilling]

286. Time to ramp up Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction," I say -n/t

[old guy]

126. It pays to read all the posts. I almost posted this myself.

Thanks for this. This is the first article I thought of and glad you posted it up. Strange series of events.

[ronnykmarshall]

102. This is horrible.

I just turned on the news and saw it.

She was a brave woman.

[rodeodance]

106. Topic subject What the F*** MSNBC discussing Bhutto's death: it will have a very positive Giuliani's

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject What the F*** MSNBC discussing Bhutto's death: it will have a very positive Giuliani's campaign
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2536782#2536782
2536782, What the F*** MSNBC discussing Bhutto's death: it will have a very positive Giuliani's campaign
Posted by ProSense on Thu Dec-27-07 08:37 AM

"For every Republican, just read Rudy Giuliani's statement." WTF?


What the hell is wrong with these people?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

114. They're insane

However, since the US is blaming it on al Qaeda they may end up being just a little bit right. I'm not sure how many people are going to believe the al Qaeda story, but a couple of them may and get their whole fear-o-terror thing working again.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

137. they are worse than insane. Biden warned in strong terms about this

very thing.

Rudy has no clue what the fuck is up with pakistan.

[NJCher]

151. desperate for straight news with no republican editorializing

MSNBC discussing Bhutto's death: it will have a very positive Giuliani's campaign


This is why I have not/will not/cannot turn on American media, as much as I wanted to see a live report at a time like this.

The poster above who gave us the Skye link did a great service to people like me, who are sick of the dysfunctionality of American media. Now that was a real report.



Cher

[TankLV]

164. You should see FUX then - it's worse - much WORSE...

I happened to click past it on my way to CNN...those idiots are INSANE to boot...

plus their literally DROOLING over this is stomach turning...

[Diclotican]

255. TankLV

TankLV

Fox news is not news, just a group of men/woman who try to impose as serious news people.. They are just plain nut cases. Have it once on cable, when a another channel was off. Sound and looks like a very silly channel to me, but some interesting, it its way Why people who are nut cases can get a "news-channel job" in US are something I cant understand.. But then I am just a european who doesn't always understand the greatness of US:sarcasm:

On the other hand.. It PROVE that the news anchors in FOX are just madmen and woman

Diclotican

Sorry my bad English, not my native language

[scarface2004]

303. brit hume just said a good time to buy stock!!

security stocks especially, and gun stocks too! hume says he s always cleaned up after assasinations..great time to go shopping too!

[janx]

258. That makes me feel physically ill. n/t

[scarface2004]

301. guiliani up 6 points on the assasination!

he just lit a cigar...is gloating!

[rodeodance]

107. Topic subject Giuliani statement on Bhutto assassination

Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject Giuliani statement on Bhutto assassination
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3892014#3892014
3892014, Giuliani statement on Bhutto assassination
Posted by chascarrillo on Thu Dec-27-07 08:42 AM

http://www.joinrudy2008.com/article/pr/1102

Mayor Rudy Giuliani released the following statement on the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto:

“The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a tragic event for Pakistan and for democracy in Pakistan. Her murderers must be brought to justice and Pakistan must continue the path back to democracy and the rule of law. Her death is a reminder that terrorism anywhere — whether in New York, London, Tel-Aviv or Rawalpindi — is an enemy of freedom. We must redouble our efforts to win the Terrorists’ War on Us.”

[DemKR]

115. seriously like what the hell

"This is definitely going to help Rudy" SHUT THE FUCK UP JOE SCARBOROUGH--a woman just DIED. stupid ass tool

[Progressive Radical]

119. What a grade-A asshole. n/t

[saigon68]

124. Look no farther than the guys who offed Allende

[krabigirl]

192. That will hurt him. What an idiot for capitalizing on such a tragedy,

[uppityperson]

289. I prefer them to continue with such assholey statements too.

Show what is important to them. Try to capitalize on everything. Be open about it. Then fade away.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

113. Mr. DTBK is from Pakistan - Karachi, to be exact

I haven't talked to him this morning - he's a doctor and is busy with patients, so I don't want to bother him. I'm anxious to hear his reaction and to find out how his family is doing, as apparently Karachi is going nuts.

[salin]

121. Please report back in when you hear

more per how things are in Karachi.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

279. I'll try

I spoke to Mr. DTBK, and he's extremely sad and is saying prayers. She actually attended our friends' wedding several years back (bride from very important political family in Lahore). I'm sure they're devastated.

[Joey Liberal]

116. Was Dick Cheney in the area? n/t

[derby378]

131. Rest in peace, Benazir

You will be truly missed by those around the world who worked for peace and democracy. :cry:

[ismnotwasm]

134. Aw, fuck

Sad, and not unexpected.

[GOPNotForMe]

136. Such a tragedy...

I fear what is going to happen in the area now.

[KingFlorez]

140. This is so sad

I was hoping she would be able to get her country back on track. People are so full of hate to do something like this.

[iamahaingttta]

141. I can't say I'm the least bit surprised.

This is very sad news. I fear what will happen next in that country. And it seemed to me as if she was asking for it. What a brave woman...

[pleah]

145. How very sad for the people of Pakistan.

[TwilightGardener]

146. Wow, just woke up and saw this. Tragic.

[iamthebandfanman]

155. im more suprised that everyone is suprised by this

i knew this was going to happen the moment i heard she was returning.
obviously there were extremist who wanted her dead, she wouldnt have been ousted if there werent eh ?

[jimlup]

158. Too early to ask but...

Will Pakistan remain stable or will it fall into chaos? My guess is a period of "martial law" perhaps including demonstration elections that will have little meaning.

The standard shit ... democracy loses again. DAMN!

[L. Coyote]

161. Washington has pumped nearly $10 billion in aid into the country since Sept. 11, 2001.

Ten billion.

"Washington had pumped nearly $10 billion in aid into the country since Musharraf became an indispensible counter-terrorism ally after Sept. 11, 2001."

[iamthebandfanman]

167. i wonder how much osama bin laden has collected ? n/t

[...of J.Temperance]

163. She was a

Very courageous woman to remain in Pakistan, when she first arrived back a few months ago, within hours the lunatics attempted to murder her in a suicide attack....to be honest, she should have IMMEDIATELY left Pakistan after that incident.

A Radical Islamist lunatic infested shithole like Pakistan didn't DESERVE Benazir Bhutto, she SHOULD have given up on them and let them fester in their own filth.

Benazir Bhutto was a good person, she was an inspiration and she wanted to HELP people who couldn't help themselves and she spoke for people who had NO voice of their own, and as is tragically typical, she's been murdered....the BAD people, the BAD people in charge NEVER get touched, those who don't give a shit about ANYONE, never get touched....the GOOD people who offer HOPE always get snuffed out.

It's at times like THIS that I SERIOUSLY begin to doubt if a White Light even exists, if a God even exists....or is it all just a Black Light and the Devil's work?

Who benefits from Benazir Bhutto's death, as they say, follow the money, whoever benefits the MOST from her death probably ordered her assassination....that'd be the Fuckhead Dictator Musharraf, who for the past what nearly eight years has been TOTALLY in bed with Al-Qaeda and sucking Radical Islamist dick AND SWALLOWING and returning for seconds....the ISI is FULL of Al-Qaeda operatives and sympathizers....Benazir Bhutto was a danger to Musharraf and the ISI, therefore she had to go.

Where was the extra security that the motherfucking POS Musharraf promised her? NOWHERE that's where....who knows who actually fired the shots and blew up the bomb, who had assigned personal bodyguards to Bhutto, what were the backgrounds of the bodyguards, could they be trusted? Afterall, Indira Ghandi was murdered by HER bodyguards.

I think that Nazir Sharif and Imran Khan are DEFINATELY BOTH in imminent danger, my advice to BOTH of them would be to hottail it out of Pakistan now, as both of them are probably 2 and 3 on the hit list, eliminate ALL who are popular with the people is the plan (Bhutto was popular, Khan is popular) that just leaves Musharraf and NO alternative....and also it gives Musharraf an excuse to declare PERMANENT Martial Law.

When Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan, and the first attempt on her life occured, I did a post here at DU and I said if she stayed in Pakistan, then she'd be dead within six months....well it was less than six months, but it was a prediction that I HOPED wouldn't come true.

Rest In Peace Ms. Bhutto, you will NOT be forgotten.

:cry:

[balantz]

165. Sadness

I feel grim and sad. She fought bravely against the * regime's pals. Her people must be thoroughly outraged. I pray for them.

[Flabbergasted]

169. Great Lady. Sad. nt

[Broadslidin]

170. Well anticipated Good News for the U.S. Imperial War Machine.....

The $10 Billion dollar+ in military aid Musharraf
will obviously continue to be the corporate imperialist's
figurehead in Pakistan.

[harun]

186. Romney all but says exactly that in this quote after hearing the

news.

Mitt Romney:

"We are still learning the details of today's tragic events in Pakistan, but this is a stark reminder that America must not only stay on high alert, but remain actively engaged across the globe. Pakistan has long been a key part in the war against extremism and radical jihadists. For those who think Iraq is the sole front in the War on Terror, one must look no further than what has happened today. America must show its commitment to stand with all moderate forces across the Islamic world and together face the defining challenge of our generation – the struggle against violent, radical jihadists.

"At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Benazir Bhutto, and to all the people of Pakistan who are fighting against extremist forces that would commit such heinous acts as the whole world has witnessed today."

Neo-con to English translation:

Neo-con: "remain actively engaged across the globe"

English: Without U.S. Imperialism all nations will fall in to despair.

Neo-con: "For those who think Iraq is the sole front in the War on Terror, one must look no further than what has happened today."

English: Only in going to war with all countries who oppose us can we ensure an end to such heinous acts.

[emad]

171. Putin must be breathing a sigh of relief.

In the lengthy legal fights in the London courts about her husband's theft and money laundering activities Bhutto's lawyers consistently claimed Putin had run a smear campaign against Benazir and spouse.

Some of her accusations about Putin's coterie of mobster henchmen laid the blame squarely on the Russian leader for failing to act on specific intelligence that could have prevented the Beslan atrocity.

[iamthebandfanman]

173. now youre putting the pieces together...

starting to figure out who had her killed now , eh ?

[emad]

189. Just making a comment about the love/hate relationship.

Putin graduated from the same charm school as Bush IMO.

[dailykoff]

174. Suicide bombing, right.

Oh those crazy terrists.

[Zynx]

178. Tell Israel suicide bombers don't exist.

[dailykoff]

179. Did this happen in Israel?

I don't think so.

[Zynx]

180. My point is that suicide bombers exist and have attakced in many

different areas. They are not some invention of the right wing. They have attacked in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, India, etc.

[dailykoff]

183. Not an invention, no,

but a very handy tool. Ditto "hijackers."

[Zynx]

235. Oh so you're of that sort.

There's no point in even continuing this conversation.

[ohio2007]

196. Actually, this happens everywhere

with increasing frequency;

http://www.globalincidentmap.com/home.php

Islamabad put on high alert : Terror threat

December 27, 2007 Thursday Zilhaj 16, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Dec 26: An intelligence report that terrorists may strike in the capital and target politicians and religious leaders has led to a high alert in the city, sources told Dawn.

snip

http://www.dawn.com/2007/12/27/nat1.htm

Must be those Amish bombers incognito
/sarc

[dailykoff]

204. The CIA is everywhere.

Wake up.

[Zynx]

234. The CIA is a hopelessly incompetent agency.

This is the same group that thought the Eastern Bloc would be strong through the middle of the 21st century. They are not powerful. They did have a decent hold on Latin America during the Cold War, but they were merely participants within extreme internal turmoil. For the most part they don't know what the hell they're doing. They don't have control over every organization in the world or anything close to it.

[dailykoff]

285. They're good at killing people.

And they should be, given the untold billions of tax dollars they suck down annually.

[AllyCat]

182. This is terrible news. RIP Ms. Bhutto. You were a brave woman.

:cry:

[rodeodance]

184. Topic subject White House Condemns Bhutto Attack

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject White House Condemns Bhutto Attack
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3115575#3115575
3115575, White House Condemns Bhutto Attack
Posted by radfringe on Thu Dec-27-07 09:27 AM

Source: ABC NEWS Dec. 27, 2007

White House Condemns Bhutto Attack
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan was a Key Ally to the U.S. Government

ABC NEWS Dec. 27, 2007

Share The White House has released a brief statement on the death of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, saying "We condemn the acts of violence which took place today in Pakistan."

President Bush is set to make a statement about the situation at 11 a.m. ET. He was informed of the attack and Bhutto's death this morning.

According to White House spokesman Scott Stanzel, "The President has been informed about the situation in Pakistan. He was told about it this morning during his regular briefing, which began at 7:30 Central Time."

--snip--

ABC News' Jonathan Karl visited Islamabad earlier this year with Vice President Dick Cheney. On that trip, senior officials spoke about their fears that Pakistan could turn to what one official called "the dark side." Bhutto's assassination will not likely help in avoiding that turn.


Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=4056107&page=1

[lebkuchen]

190. Bush couldn't name the President of Pakistan when running for office

He faked it, though, calling him (Musharraf) a democratically elected leader.

Right.

[CranialRectaLoopbak]

187. Freedom's on the march ...

Freedom's on the march, baby. Musharif is free to continue is dictatorship! Eeeehaaaaawwwww!

[ohio2007]

200. freedom of religion is on the march

well....a certain religion.

wonder what Friday prayers will talk about around the world?


ooops
http://thepost.com.pk/MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=8699&fb_id=2&catid=14
freedom of information is usurped by freedom of religion ;)

[Tektonik]

188. RIP Miss Bhutto

[ChazII]

194. A sad day

A very sad day, indeed.

She was somebody who was intelligent enough to embrace a more democratic society, and who was concerned about the rights of women in her society.

Another attack by a cowardly savage.

[tuckessee]

197. She sure had a lot of guts. n/t

[benld74]

202. The woman had bigger cajones than ANY Bush ever will and ever did

[Doctor_J]

206. This would be a good time to have a dissident TV network here

"What is the Bush administration's involvement in this tragedy?"

"Looks like Dick Cheney just stumbled on another excuse for a trillion dollar Halliburton windfall"

"With Mr. Bush's approval rating at its lowest level ever, this tragedy is sure to help him"

"With Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign on life support, another front on the so-called War On Terror is just what he needs"

"With Rudy Ghouliani attempting to make political hay from this murder, will the leading Dem candidates call him on this shameless behavior"

Ah, after the revolution, hen the people own the media again.

[SusanaMontana41]

210. Anyone else noticed

that MSNBC has focused on only the GOP presidential candidates' reactions to the assassination?

Olbermann is an oasis.

[Stand and Fight]

208. This may have already been said...

However, this will have far-reaching and destabilizing consequences -- not only for the region -- but for the world. Perhaps even along the lines of what precipitated the first world war.

[coalition_unwilling]

288. Don't forget Turkey's recent incursions into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, a

reprise of the Ottoman Empire and 1914??? The difference is that today's Kurds have no Czarist Russia waiting in the wings to bail them out (except maybe the United States . . . perish the notion), the way the Serbs did. By the same token, Turkey has no Imperial Germany writing a blank check for it, the way the Hapsburg Empire had. Still, it's scary times for sure.

[Alexander]

212. Aw, hell. This is just awful. Is Nawaz Sharif next?

[salin]

219. Haven't there already been attacks on his supporters?

[Alexander]

223. Yes. Someone tried to kill Nawaz Sharif himself this very morning.

Coincidence? I think not.

Sounds like Musharraf got 1/2 of what he wanted.

[salin]

233. Wonder how the "its al qeada" crowd explains that,

the beef with Bhutto (expressed above) was that she was a secularist, and a woman, and thus an extreme offense needing to be stopped before the election. Wonder what their explanation (including the US news talking heads taking that line) for the attempt on Sharif. Unless of course it is in al qeada's best interest for Musharef to remain in control - which these same talking heads are wont to state because then it doesn't look so good for our unending support of Musharef.

Seems to me that it is more likely ISI than loan fundamentalist. Given if someone can give me an explanation why Sharif is also a target of the fundamentalists and why they have more of a reason/motive (for the assassinations/attempts) than those trying to hold onto power, then I would certainly consider that explanation.

[Barrett808]

307. Benazir Bhutto Assassinated, Attempts Made on Sharif as Pakistan Drifts Into Civil War

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Barely two months have gone by since Benazir Bhutto escaped death at the hands of a suicide bomber, but today a successful gunman has pushed Pakistan to the brink of Civil War. To read more about this developing story and about Pakistani politics, visit EIN News at http://www.einnews.com/pakistan.

During a rally on December 27, a single assassin was able to fatally shoot Bhutto in the head, killing her, before blowing himself up. Other supporters of the former Prime Minister were killed in the blast as well, and the event has stunned the country that has been riddled with assassination attempts at the hands of political militants.

Little is holding the country together -- especially not Musharraf, Pakistan's president. His political opponent, Nawaz Sharif, has been the target of violence before, including shots fired from a window today -- the same day as Bhutto's assassination.

See also:

-- Pakistan Government & Politics News - http://www.einnews.com/pakistan/newsfeed-pakistan-government-politics

-- Benazir Bhutto News - http://www.einnews.com/pakistan/newsfeed-benazir-bhutto

-- Nawaz Sharif News - http://www.einnews.com/pakistan/newsfeed-nawaz-sharif

-- Pervez Musharraf News -

http://www.einnews.com/pakistan/newsfeed-pervez-musharraf

-- Pakistan Elections News -

http://www.einnews.com/pakistan/newsfeed-pakistan-elections

http://sev.prnewswire.com/publishing-information-services/20071227/DC1063327122007-1.html

[janx]

214. Oh man...

:cry:

Why didn't she have better protection?

[blackspade]

215. Oh. Fuck. (nt)

[whistle]

218. The fascists are clearly in charge

[Lint Head]

220. The death of Bhutto is in the interest of the criminals that

occupy our precious White House. Bhutto coming back into the picture when she did was a thorn in the side of President Pervez Musharraf and his allies in the Bush administration. Marshall law is what Cheney and Bush want in this country and may get it now that the world will be destabilized. There will be major military 'put downs' in Pakistan. They are already saying it is Al Qaeda and the right wing nut jobs are going to frame this and play it to their advantage. Bhutto was a populist as are many of our own Democrat candidates. I'm afraid that some conservative Democrats will believe the propaganda and lies that will come out of this from the mouths of the traitors occupying our White House our. :dem:

[Sultana]

222. Oh my God

:cry:

Mushy and his people had something to do w/ this.

[Aviation Pro]

228. Next stop, nuclear conflaguration in the region....

...way to go Motherfucker George Bush, way to prop up a rogue regime. Tell me, when the demons are ripping your flesh apart and plunging their razor studded phallics into every open orifice of your body will you still be wearing that idiotic, moronic, brain-dead grin on your face, you fuck.

[Dangerman]

230. I know that analysts are not going to blame Musaraff...

But I believe that Musaraff ought to be blame for this! He's a scumbag dictator, and I believe he wanted Bhutto dead so he can remain in power!

:mad:

I've got a bad feeling about this. I don't trust that bastard!

[madrchsod]

239. he`s the number one candidate for ordering the hit

but she had other enemies that were standing in line.

[madrchsod]

232. she was a "kleptomaniac in a Hermes` scarf "

there is very little that was noble about her. she and her husbanded enriched themselves while in power and were charged with corruption in several european countries. she had a very nice retirement until she figured she could exploit the crisis in pakistan. she should have taken the hint that the criminals who run the country did`t want her back but her ego was her downfall.

[yellowcanine]

238. Why don't you just piss on her grave as well? Sheeze.

I don't think we should praise people and ignore their shortcomings just because they are dead but you might at least wait until tomorrow to do a hatchet job on her.

[madrchsod]

248. maybe i am a bit harsh but

i just have a hard time praising this woman as if she was a hero.

[yellowcanine]

253. No dice. Note I said you don't have to praise her but doing a hatchet job now is indecent.

Nice false choice there - praise or vilify. Ever hear of just keeping your mouth shut?

As a wise woman used to say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." Good advice.

[blankdvd256]

237. I think this bad news for the dems

This is just my opinion and I would like someone to tell me why I am wrong. This attack will make Randolph Giuliani look more Attractive to the Republicans just when he was starting to lose support. Giuliani is the only Republican candidate who can when new york in the general election just by taking those electoral votes away from dems he probbly wins. I do not want to live another four years of the politics of fear and 9/11 that is just what we will get. If Dems pick Clinton she wil lose thats one person that will make the Republicans get out and vote against her. I would love to see barack obama be president but I think there's alot of people that would secretly not vote for a black man I hope I am wrong and that this country moved be on this but I don't know. I think Edwards would be the best person with a chance to win. Just my thoughts please someone tell me I am way off base with this. We need to win to save our country!!

[janx]

240. I'm sorry...

WHAT?

[ButterflyBlood]

244. It won't matter

The vast majority of voters will have forgotten by when the election comes around.

[salin]

246. Were this four years ago, perhaps...

the strength of the emotional impact is weakened over time. There was a very interesting study on this earlier this year, that focused on how when the emotional fear was raised before asking political questions vs being asked those questions without the cuing reminders. There was a strong emotional response where logical thinking was overridden when cued. However, the strength of that reponse got weaker and weaker the longer the traumatic event was in the past.

There are more emotional pushbuttons today - the war in Iraq (esp with the millions who have served or have loved ones who have or are serving); the flagging economy/stalling wages in the face of steep increases in the costs of living. This latter one has an exceptionally strong pull as for many it is an issue of survival.

Today's effect does nothing to lessen the emotional impact of personal, REAL, economic fears. It would be very different had this happened on US soil. Indeed in myopic America, I would guess that many folks do not know who Bhutoo is/was and the news won't make a big impact upon their radar.

Meanwhile, Rudy may play the security 911! security 911! card and get a little sway within the republican right, but he is saying nothing that speaks to the real and current emotional fears of many/most American voters.

[madrchsod]

252. this hit has nothing to do with terrorism

and as some others have said- no one remembers

[yellowcanine]

256. I disagree. Musharraf will be blamed for this whether he did it or not. And

Musharraf is Bush's boy. Furthermore Pakistan is likely to explode over this and it will be seen as another Bush/Republican foreign policy failure. It is now clear if it wasn't before that Iraq is a dangerous diversion from the war on terror.

[defendandprotect]

262. Agree if America still sleeps/disagree if we are waking up --

America may not be as politically naive as she has been in last decades ---
On the other hand, the right-wing fundies are not exactly totally defeated yet ---

[uppityperson]

290. Welcome to Du and please tell us more.

How will killing Bhutto make Rudy look more Attractive? I don't get that.

[Gloria]

241. I woke up early and the BBC World Service wasn't coming in clearly via shortwave...

Went back to sleep and reception was better when I woke up again a short while later. When I heard the newsreader talking in the past tense about her past activities, I knew.

Whenever the BBC does biographies, I know someone has died.....They interviewed her chief rival...when you hear the news on the BBC from the ground it is even more chilling.....

I've been following the mess in Pakistan closely even when I don't post an article about it to the World Media Watch. It's an odd feeling to be shocked...but not surprised. This has cast a pall over my day, that's for sure.

[Gloria]

247. Pictures from the last rally....BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7161751.stm

[Beacool]

250. I'm on vacation and it's the first ting my friend said to me

when I left my bedroom: they have killed Benazir Bhutto.

I'm still in shock by such terrible, even though not totally unexpected, news.

After hearing the presidential candidates speak on this issue, I think that Hillary Clinton is probably the one most touched at a personal level by Mrs. Bhutto's death. They both bonded while Hillary was First Lady and kept in touch over the years. They each gave each other political advice and supported each other's aspirations to lead their respective countries.

My condolences to Mrs. Bhutto's family and the nation of Pakistan.

[and-justice-for-all]

257. Fuck me. nt

[MAGICBULLET]

260. R.I.P. Benazir Bhutto

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[ohio2007]

302. R.I.P.....curtesy the "RoP"

just sayin,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BswqITiLPE8&feature=related
They only had to get lucky once

.....for all the times they failed



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paKewb3PnJk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WPtVBPJVLA&eurl=http



Pakistan is in their sights and ripe for destroying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS8nqBuvrBo&feature=related

[Ronnie Roach]

264. Is this a precursor to a major event here in the states?

Find out by reading the post titled: Did Britney Spears or S.F Tiger kill Benazir Bhutto?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Enronscam/

[saigon68]

265. Here's a better link

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Enronscam/message/2418

[LeftishBrit]

267. Horrific. It just gets worse and worse.

[mogster]

270. Some pictures from Pakistan

Norw. news media. More pictures:
http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2007/12/27/522317.html?i=3

See also this BBC timeline from 1999 to 2001:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/mogster/345

[BklnDem75]

272. Very tragic

It doesn't help that she was banned from leaving the country either.


Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been banned from leaving the country, her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) says.

PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar told the BBC the party had written to the interior ministry over the issue.

Ms Bhutto survived an assassination attempt on Thursday on her return to the country after years of self-imposed exile. Nearly 140 died in the attack.

The government often bans opponents from leaving Pakistan.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7058543.stm

[hvn_nbr_2]

276. Has Cheney blamed Iran yet? nt

[allisonthegreat]

277. Tragic that it happened but could see it coming for awhile...

leave it up to Bush & Co. to get involved if they aren't already...To tragic.

[grahamhgreen]

281. Detective 101 - Mushariff stands to gain the most from Bhutto's death

Therefore he should be a prime 'person of interest'.

[Yukari Yakumo]

296. However...

He's not an idiot. This would undermine his ambitions in the long run and weaken his position globally.

Al Queda and the sort, however, is almost a win-win for them. Eliminate a very dangerous enemy and potentially destabilize the nation so they can extend their own sphere of influence.

[Major Hogwash]

310. Why is Musharaff allowed to run for President to begin with?

If their Constitution limits their Presidents to 2 terms and he has already served 2 terms?

How did he get his name on the ballot again?

They are now talking about suspending the election to a later date.

[grahamhgreen]

348. Yet he is aalso sociopath somewhat unstable

[goodgd_yall]

282. Tragic, tragic

RIP

[democrank]

283. Very tragic .

RIP Benazir Bhutto.

[Nutmegger]

292. This has been my worst fear since she returned.

RIP Ms. Bhutto.

[nookiemonster]

305. Me too........

She was an incredible inspiration and smart as a whip.

RIP

:(

[Up2Late]

293. This is so tragic.

Nothing else to say about this except that both Reuters and NPR have good "slide shows" of pictures from today, here's the links:

<http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSHAR75111720071227>

<http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/articleslideshow?articleId=USHAR75111720071227&channelName=newsOne#a=1>

<http://www.npr.org/news/images/2007/dec/27/gallery/index.html>

<http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-12-27T210913Z_01_HAR751117_RTRUKOC_0_US-PAKISTAN-BHUTTO.xml>

<http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?collectionId=1433&galleryName=All%20Collections#a=1>

:cry:

[wicket]

294. A huge loss

:cry: :cry:

[indio55555]

295. Now it's Navaz Sharif's turn.......

Sharif is in the same party as Bhutto, but Mushy doesn't want him in the country....People want Sharif, but since Mushy ousted him via the coup.... Things just got intresting.

Well thought out plan by Mushy.... Checkmate!

[Ken Burch]

298. Actually, Sharif leads the RIVAL party to Bhutto's PPP.

Bhutto's party is secular and more or less social democratic. Sharif's party is moderately Islamist.

[JCMach1]

299. Horrible rioting going on now... my friend's parents were on the last flight

to get out of Lahore before they suspended operations... What a mess.

[ohio2007]

304. they are partying like it's "999". Hello dark ages

China better check those nukes

[scarface2004]

300. she had it coming!! cheney sneered!

i m glad that bitch is dead cheney sneered as he shot up some pheasants cornered in a pen on his private hunting perserve for the holiday!

[MetaTrope]

308. So, has Condi Rice stepped forward yet to apologize for BEGGING Bhutto to return to Pakistan?

Or are Musharraf's thanks enough?

[ColonelTom]

316. Sharif's behind it. Mark my words.

He had everything to gain by this, and nothing to lose. There's a failed "attempt" on his life, and then he shows up next to Bhutto's body to get his "bloody shirt" moment and to align himself with a martyr. Meanwhile, Musharraf - whether he had anything to do with it or not - is bound to take the blame, and loses any shot at legitimacy while staying in office.

Let's not forget that Sharif and Bhutto are bitter enemies, as are Sharif and Musharraf. Sharif had been shut out of the election, which Bhutto was permitted to run in by agreement with Musharraf. Now you have massive instability and the need for an opposition candidate to emerge quickly for the general election. There's only one man for the job - Sharif.

Meanwhile, I've been watching and reading coverage all day, and the only place Sharif's been mentioned in the American media so far? Democracy Now, of course. Nowhere in the so-called "mainstream media." It messes up the "terrorist, fundamentalist" narrative pushed by the Bush administration and perpetuated by the news media.

[FlyingSquirrel]

317. You've been following this way too closely.

And connecting too many dots too quickly. You know too much............

:hide:

[Leo 9]

319. Bhutto said Musharraf failed to protect her: e-mail

Bhutto said Musharraf failed to protect her: e-mail
28 Dec 2007, 0545 hrs IST,AFP

WASHINGTON: Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto blamed President Pervez Musharraf for failing to protect her in the volatile months preceding her assassination, an email released by US media on Thursday showed.

If harmed in Pakistan, "I would hold Musharraf responsible," Bhutto wrote in the October email, revealed on air by CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer, who received it from Bhutto's friend and US spokesman Mark Siegel.

"I have been made to feel insecure by his minions," Bhutto wrote of Musharraf, detailing security measures which she said were not granted her after her return to the volatile country.

"There is no way what is happening in terms of stopping me from taking private cars or using tinted windows or giving jammers or four police mobiles to cover all sides could happen without him."

Siegel told the channel that Bhutto had asked authorities to provide protection including a four-car police escort and jamming devices against bombs, but had not received them.

snip

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bhutto_said_Musharraf_failed_to_protect_her_e-mail/articleshow/2656940.cms

[ColonelTom]

320. Boy, isn't it fabulous...

... when the issue comes so neatly pre-framed for media consumption?

C'mon, people... this email is a red herring. Even if she sent it and she believed it - which are both entirely possible, if not probable - it doesn't make Musharraf any more likely to have been behind the assassination.

[defendandprotect]

342. Nah -- we wouldn't have thought of Musharraf without the e-mail --- !!! ???

Whaat --- ?

Of course there is government involvement ---
this was not someone friendly to Bhutto

Nor was Bushco looking for democracy in the area ---

right --- he would have liked someone who wanted to nationalize resources --- !!

[ColonelTom]

343. What did Musharraf gain by this?

Musharraf gets blamed for Bhutto's death whether he was involved or not. He has no claim to legitimacy even if he wins an election, when/if it is eventually held. He will either step down or be overthrown, more likely sooner rather than later.

"Government involvement" - it depends what you mean by "government." One or more members of ISI were almost certainly involved. The question is, on whose behalf were they acting? Musharraf doesn't have absolute loyalty from ISI - he had to purge a bunch of ISI people sympathetic to Al Qaeda when he agreed to help in the U.S. "war on terror," and you can bet he didn't get everyone. Also, as I stated elsewhere in this thread, Nawaz Sharif had everything to gain and little to lose if he facilitated Bhutto's assassination. He had an axe to grind with both Musharraf and Bhutto, and felt he'd been unfairly shut out of the upcoming election. Sharif tried to convince Bhutto to boycott the election, but ultimately had been rebuffed by Bhutto, who many believed would have won the election on January 8. Now Musharraf is twisting in the wind, with no way to (re?)establish his legitimacy as the democratically elected leader of Pakistan. He gained nothing by the assassination, and likely lost his last shot at holding onto any semblance of power.

The Musharraf-as-assassin story here only makes sense if you assume he's just indiscriminately "evil" and not a rational actor. Like Saddam Hussein in Iraq previously, Musharraf's actions are, first and foremost, calculated to keep him in power. Assassinating Bhutto doesn't accomplish that goal.

DailyKos has a link to a good diary entry on the subject, explaining the intricacies of Pakistani politics much better than I can:
http://dhinmi.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/27/194418/67/129/427005

[defendandprotect]

349. What did Bush gain by this --- ???

That's the question ---

What did those who want unrest and war in the ME -- and control of OIL --- gain by this?


PS: The US/CIA created the Taliban and AlQaeda --- one day, perhaps, our MSM will deign to
inform the American public of that ---!!

[Leo 9]

353. Though Musharraf Dubya & Al-qaeda are in Cahoots, it's most likely...

...that Mushy did it. IMHO

ca-hoots

Questionable collaboration; secret partnership: an accountant in cahoots with organized crime.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cahoots

[Highway61]

321. OMG

I went to work this a.m. and saw that she was injured as a result of a bomb....I just read this and feel sick,

[DanG2012]

323. this is bad

very bad. a terrible event in an already un-stable area.

[ColesCountyDem]

331. Just so sad...

She was one hope for both stabilizing Pakistan and creating a TRUE ally in the region.

:(

[defendandprotect]

338. This family was quite a threat to the establishment --- !!!

Two or three of her brothers were also killed in questionable circumstances --- !!!

Basically, her father founded the People's Party --- they stood for nationalism ---
secular government ---

Musharaf is obviously the guy --- but I bet Bushco was pushing for it ---

[ElsewheresDaughter]

344. who didn't see this coming.....

The United States has for months been encouraging Musharraf to reach an accommodation”

I’m sure the current administration has wished for this. I’m sure the current administration has encouraged this, and not even tacitly in private communications with that jackal-infested dictatorship of Musharraf. And I’m sure this will be seen by future generations as merely yet another example of how American hegemony f%&ked up more than the lives of its own people. But although I believe every living thing has equal value, this assassination in particular stands apart as an offense to democracy, to decency, to wisdom, to sanity.

I’m sad, I’m angry, I’m surprised, I saw this coming, and I am thoroughly and completely and physically disgusted with the state of things. I’m on the verge of typing something that would set off bells in the computer rooms at Langley. The path (not just the current participants) of America needs must be checked.

Stopped. Halted. Reversed. Prosecuted. On a world stage. She has been martyred. Let the uprising commence. No scapegoats, no equivocation: this was someone’s plan, someone’s idea, someone’s goal. Find the person or the people, and MAKE THEM PAY. We must expose the dirty details, the perverted plan, the sick scheme. The corrupt connections, the telling timelines, and the murderous masters. We must give voice to the journalists who expose these details, and let their findings lay a rock-hard brick path to the source of this insult to humanity. Strike, and strike hard, because this is murder, and the iron is still hot.

[stickernation]

346. oh yikes

"an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind" - m.k.gandhi

probably a good idea for the country to take a chill pill rather than start pulling a rwanda. remember, the liberals in any given nation rarely have the guns :(

-s

[dharmamarx]

345. Fatima Bhutto interview

It's always sad when people die, but this martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto is really weird. Most Americans (including journalists and politicians) know absolutely nothing about domestic politics in Pakistan. A lot of commentators are getting lost in the romance of a Western educated feminist ruling Pakistan; it is important to remember that in addition to being a Harvard-educated woman, Bhutto was also a very wealthy elite with a long track record of massive corruption who had no real tie to the grass roots democratic movement in Pakistan. Just because Benazir and Musharrafwere enemies does not mean that she offered any real hope for Pakistan. When one glorifies her, one makes the same mistake the neocons made when they selected Ahmed Chalabi as a replacement for Saddam Hussein. There's a good interview with Bhutto's niece Fatima here: http://www.thisishell.net/archives_2007.html (It's at the start of the November 24th broadcast).

[Matilda]

347. Excellent article; thanks for putting it up.

Posters who praise Benazir Bhutto for her stand on "democracy" seem to
be unaware of her history. She had two terms as Prime Minister already,
and did nothing at all to alleviate the problems of Pakistan, especially
the problem of endemic poverty, which she had promised to alleviate.

A reading of Pakistan's post-colonial history doesn't give a great deal
of confidence in their so-called democratic system. Corruption, coups,
and assassinations are the order of the day, and Bhutto's death is just
one more in a long list - a list that included her father, and her two
brothers.

That she was herself corrupt seems pretty certain, although she denied
the claims until her death. That Musharraf is crooked there is no doubt;
and the third major contender for power, Nawaz Sharif, is himself barred
from standing for office because of his criminal record, but he wields
power through the political party he leads.

The big question for me is why on earth would anyone want to be leader
of this country? It's either kill or be killed.