Al-Qaeda claims Bhutto's death

[El Supremo]

Source: AKI - Adnkronos International

Karachi, 27 Dec. (AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - A spokesperson for the al-Qaeda terrorist network has claimed responsibility for the death on Thursday of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

“We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat mujahadeen,” Al-Qaeda’s commander and main spokesperson Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid told Adnkronos International (AKI) in a phone call from an unknown location, speaking in faltering English. Al-Yazid is the main al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan.

It is believed that the decision to kill Bhutto, who is the leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was made by al-Qaeda No. 2, the Egyptian doctor, Ayman al-Zawahiri in October.

Death squads were allegedly constituted for the mission and ultimately one cell comprising a defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi’s Punjabi volunteer succeeded in killing Bhutto.


Read more: http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1710322437

---

My God.

[Hugin]

1. ...

:kick:

[dbackjon]

2. I thought we killed the Al-Queda #2???

This sucks - she was a great lady.

[Mrs. Overall]

22. Yes, we've killed 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, and we maybe even took out 2f.

[Yupster]

53. That's the AQ # 2 in Iraq that we keep killing

The AQ overall # 2 has always been Al Zawaheri, the Egyptian Doctor who is assumed hiding somewhere in Pakistan.

[sentelle]

3. does that mean that Al Qaida

Interprets Musharraf as one of theirs?

and are we winning yet?

[Delphinus]

8. Let's just see who asks

*that* particular question or who brings that up in their analysis of her death.

Excellent question, sentelle, excellent.

[okasha]

32. Spot on.

n/t

[leftynyc]

39. Hasn't Musharraf been the target of

attempted murder 4 times already? Perhaps his security is just better.

[tekisui]

45. Yes. And, I don't expect this to take any heat of mushy.

The extremists still want his head, and now the People will be after him.

[MidwestTransplant]

4. OMG only Rudy can save us now.

[tavalon]

48. I am so thankful that I had finished my swallow of coffee before I read your reply

My keyboard and my screen are grateful too. :D

[MidwestTransplant]

54. Me too! Wouldn't want to be blamed for ruining your screen even though

it is a secret fantasy for somebody to respond to my post that they spit their drink on their computer after reading one of my posts!

[tavalon]

55. Well this is awfully similar.

Had my mouth been full of liquid, it would have been spit. This was DUzy worthy.

[ContraBass Black]

5. Odd.

Wouldn't this shift support toward Musharraf, their strongest opponent?

[Pale Blue Dot]

9. Exactly. This is not adding up. nt

[dantyrant]

16. Musharaff is not the islamists' strongest opponent

His commitment to the so-called War on Terror was never all that BushCo hoped it would be. For more on this, I'd suggest reading Mike Whitney's article about Bhutto, Musharaff and the WoT:

Bhutto was asked directly about the so-called Miranshah agreement which Musharraf worked out so that he could withdrawal Pakistani troops from North Waziristan where his army was sustaining heavy losses. Musharraf had only won minor concessions from the tribal leaders who were supposed to limit their support for the Taliban. The treaty was a complete hoax designed to extricate Musharraf from an "unwinnable" war that was universally unpopular with Pakistanis. Unfortunately, the treaty turned out to be Musharraf’s death sentence. When it became clear to Bush and his neocon colleagues that Musharraf would not carry out their war agenda; they began to sharpen their daggers and plan for his removal. That is why Bhutto was exhumed from her Dubai mausoleum long enough to play a part in this latest Bush comic operetta. This has nothing to do with “democracy promotion”. It’s just another grim chapter in the “color-coded revolution” digest. The whole performance is being staged courtesy of the US intelligence agencies and the compliant establishment media. Bush doesn’t care about democracy any more than Bhutto. What he’s looking for is someone who’ll take on the Taliban in Waziristan. That's it. And that's why Musarraf's day's are numbered.

Bhutto, addressing the CFR crowd:

“I rejected that ceasefire of September 2006 -- the peace treaty -- and we rejected the ceasefires before that. In fact, we were appalled that the tribal region of our country was handed over to foreigners, because Afghan Taliban, Afghans and al Qaeda are added to the Chechens and the Uzbeks. And this is Pakistani territory, and Pakistan has to protect its own territory.

So we've been absolutely appalled by that. And we think the first thing the government of Pakistan has to do is to take the territory back. We've ceded authority of our own territory, and it's not enough to satisfy the agenda of the Afghan Taliban or the Arab al Qaeda or the Central Asian Uzbek-Chechen. They're now knocking on the doors of our frontier province. “

So there it is---Bhutto’s Faustian bargain in black and white---‘Get rid of Musharraf and I’ll fight your bloody war.’ What could be clearer?

[magellan]

62. Bhutto was the ace in BushCo's pocket

More of relevance from the article you cite:

Another tidbit the media seems to breezily disregard is Bhutto’s role in supporting Islamic extremism; the very dragon she is now expected to slay. According to Wikipedia: “It was during Bhutto’s rule that the Taliban took power in Kabul and gained prominence in Afghanistan. She viewed the Taliban as a group that could stabilize Afghanistan and enable trade across the Central Asia republics. Her government provided military and financial support for the Taliban, even sending a small unit of the Pakistani army into Afghanistan.”

But, then, anyone can make a mistake and Bhutto has since offered her sincere regrets and promised to rid Pakistan of the ‘scourge of terrorism’. This must be music to the ears of her new patrons in Washington.

BushCo has long wanted to secure an oil pipeline from C. Asia through Afghanistan down to the Pakistan coast. Musharraf couldn't deliver on his part. (Of course his government, too, provides military and financial support to the Taliban, a large portion of which comes from US taxpayers.) Bhutto promised to succeed where he didn't. Although she would have faced the same insurmountable obstacles Musharraf did in the frontier lands, our government would have given her all she needed to make a hearty go of it...just like they did for Musharraf.

If Bush** looked shaken today, perhaps this is why.

[Zynx]

23. No because people suspect Musharraf regardless of what Al-Qaeda claims

which will weaken him severely.

[killbotfactory]

31. You think Perez is their strongest opponent?

What has he done to them lately?

[Bucky]

35. Al-Qaeda doesn't think like normal bandits. The fact that a woman had a chance offended them most.

Pervez Mussharaf is a small problem to them since he's more or less cornered and not able to totally control the military. This might help him a little, but it'll help Nawaz, the corrupt right winger the most. That's why Nawaz'z party pulled out of the elections so quickly after the murder of Bhutto. Ending the elections will increase the violence and that will be the biggest threat to Mussharaf, not the harder task of killing him.

If Pakistan goes violent, then Nawaz has the most to gain... and he'll be friendlier to al-Qaeda's agenda (but probably not to the al-Qaeda organization itself) than any other political leader there.

[BreweryYardRat]

61. Hmm...that implies to me that we might do better to look directly at Nawaz's people

It would be smarter of him to let al Qaeda make the claim and take the blame.

[acmavm]

6. Oh heaven's to Murgatroyd. Al Q has a P.R. system than all

the candidate's all together. They need to hire whoever it is Al Q and bin Ladin use.

[Pale Blue Dot]

7. This doesn't make any sense.

I'm having a hard time seeing what Al-Qaeda would have to gain here.

[lunatica]

17. They've always said they're going after people who work with the US

Here's an excerpt from the article...

“We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat mujahadeen,” Al-Qaeda’s commander and main spokesperson Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid told Adnkronos International (AKI) in a phone call from an unknown location, speaking in faltering English. Al-Yazid is the main al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan.

It is believed that the decision to kill Bhutto, who is the leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was made by al-Qaeda No. 2, the Egyptian doctor, Ayman al-Zawahiri in October.

Death squads were allegedly constituted for the mission and ultimately one cell comprising a defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi’s Punjabi volunteer succeeded in killing Bhutto.

[JDPriestly]

34. May we then conclude that, since they have not killed Musharraf, he is not our friend?

[lunatica]

46. There have been many attempts on Musharraf

Just like we know that this was the third time Bhutto has been targeted.

[sentelle]

18. What Al Qaeda stands to gain

1. Bhutto was pro-west. The last time she was elected, she positioned Pakistan as secular, and open for business. In fact, at the time, there was some hints at prosperity. Al Qaeda and their particular sect (wahibiism) believes in a more basic, pro-islamic, spartan, tradtional value than that.
2. Bhutto was a woman. Somehow this is not in keeping with those 'traditional values'
3. Bhutto believed in secular democracy. again, not in keeping with 'traditional values'
4. Bhutto beleved in the war on Terror. This could be perceived as a threat to Al Qaeda.

Musharraf is a thug that doesn't care about Al Qaeda, except as a foil to get aid from the US with. He is not a threat to Al Qaeda.

[Codeine]

21. Killing a secularist, a woman,

and a popular politician who promoted engagement with the West. The Invisible Sky Daddy set doesn't look kindly on that sort of thing.

[Zynx]

24. Bhutto was a committed opponent of Islamic radicals.

She was a secularist, liberal, woman. There it is.

[salin]

28. And why the attempts on Sharif and his supporters?

[Zynx]

37. He is also a liberal secularist.

[salin]

40. And Mushareff is their preference?

I don't know. Color me skeptical - but also well aware that anything is possible.

Whoever was responsible, the aftermath could be even more tumultuous than recent events/conditions in Pakistan. My prayers go out to that part of the world.

[Codeine]

41. In a sense, yes.

He has allowed them to operate essentially unhindered in their tribal areas throughout his rule. They have reached the apex of their power and influence during his administration. Why would they want him replaced with an uppity woman committed to secular rule and continued Western involvement?

[Zynx]

47. Exactly.

[LanternWaste]

44. Escalation of destabilization in a country which possesses nuclear weapons.

Escalation of destabilization in a country which possesses nuclear weapons.

If Pakistan becomes more and more unstable, Al-Qaeda (et.al.) would have a win-win scenario, regardless of almost any outcome.

[treestar]

10. I thought Al Qaeda wanted to kill Americans?

At least that's what the right wingers tell me!

[greiner3]

11. A.K.A. American led CIA forces lead assasination squad;

I wonder if cheney got a chubby when he heard Bhutto was dead?

[ohio2007]

43. We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat

<[B>the] mujahedeen."
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/12/us-checking-al.html


She represented one of the civilized sections of Pakistan. I wouldn't doubt if the ISI is breathing a sigh of relief since she was so determined to root out the Taliban influence in her country.....Taliban links run high up the Pakistani govt departments.

[Doctor_J]

12. MUAHAHAHAHA

Thanks to The Onion for the world's greatest satire.

[zonmoy]

13. undoubtedly the toilet did it under the orders of their cia

and other masters. if they did it at all. they may have just been ordered to take the fall for it.

[IDemo]

14. His days are numbered if he's the new No. 2

[Javaman]

15. wow, I don't think anyone could have anticipated this...

I'm just so impressed time and time again as to al qaeda's media machine.

some other "terrorist" group aka mushman's hit squad are chuckling to themselves right now.

generally the simplest answer is usually the correct one.

[K Gardner]

19. I don't think this has been verified. If this were true, we'd already have heard it.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

20. It's too convenient for me

The US begins to openly support Bhutto, which was viewed in the region as a death sentence. Then the US shows shock and regret when she is assassinated.

I may be alone in my thinking but I won't be surprised to see the coming unrest used as a door for the US to intervene in Pakistan.

[Zynx]

25. Oh come on.

She had so much opposition internally whatever we may have said in her support had no effect.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

38. No, I disagree

It was a strong fuel to those there who opposed her. Due to her support from the US it was believed that she would encourage the US to help remove the Islamic militants from within Pakistan. A deadly platforms to be running on considering the state of affairs in Pakistan.

As for my views that her support from the US came with great risk to her person; it's now being reported that militants made death threats against Bhutto, saying she was a target "because of her perceived close relationship with the West and with the US in particular." I'm sure there were other threats and other reasons as well, but that doesn't change the fact that the US's support of Bhutto was not in her better interest.

[TexasBushwhacker]

26. And just in time for the primaries ....

:sarcasm:

[FightingIrish]

27. Will Cheney attend Bhutto's funeral or

will he send the chimp?

[Judi Lynn]

29. It'd be easy to get him to go if Cheney tells him he can get in some good mountain biking.

or segwaying the landscaping

[benld74]

30. Sute they would, hell why not?

THis would give us ample ammunition across the globe to show terrorism is alive and well and will do anything to stop democracy from spreading. Of course installing our own puppet in Paki, makes no difference. Shit man, the 50's and 60's are happening all over again. THis time with a much larger audience to watch, talking heads to build it up, more potenet WMD's, etc, etc, etc.

[killbotfactory]

33. So when will Perez go after them?

[Bucky]

36. You mean Pervez

Perez Hilton is a different guy than who you're thinking of.

[tom_paine]

42. These Bushies always hide a grain of truth in their Bushie Lies. Makes 'em easier to swallow.

I believe this al-Qaeda man when he says Bhutto would have gone after Bin Laden.

This is why the Bushies and their al-Qaeda pals BOTH wanted her dead.

[grahamhgreen]

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

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

[El Supremo]

51. Wrong

Mushariff is running for election. Al Qaeda isn't.

Mushariff is now going to lose on the sympathy vote.

[grahamhgreen]

63. Your assuming he would allow an election in which he could not guarantee his victory.

He just suspended the constitution a few weeks ago.

Fired the Supreme court.

And arrested most of the lawyers and journalists!

It's not who gets the most votes... it's who counts them (Stalin).

[yardwork]

50. Hm. About as much credibility as the latest Osama bin Laden video.

I'm dubious.

[DLnyc]

52. Quite remarkable, really

=====
It is believed that the decision to kill Bhutto, who is the leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was made by al-Qaeda No. 2, the Egyptian doctor, Ayman al-Zawahiri in October.

Death squads were allegedly constituted for the mission and ultimately one cell comprising a defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi’s Punjabi volunteer succeeded in killing Bhutto.
=====

Less than 12 hours after the assassination, all these intimate details are now known, but nothing was suspected before the event?

Quite, quite remarkable.

Similar to the way 'they' knew, the day after 9/11, the names, faces and histories of all the hijackers. But had no information whatsoever before the event. Remarkable.

[sarcasmo]

56. AL-CIA-DUH #2 still lives.

When ever I see the #2 reference I think of Austin Powers,

[Leo 9]

57. 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

[cognitive dissident]

58. simply appalling

After they scrape the murderer’s remains off the pavement, they should wrap him in a bacon shroud, stuff a pork chop in his mouth and a hot dog up his ass, burn him on a lard-fueled pyre, and then scatter his ashes in the feed trough at a pig farm.

The same fate should await Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid and the other conspirators as soon as they are apprehended, tried, and convicted.

How’s that for cleanliness?

[Matilda]

59. Major media outlets aren't reporting this at all.

BBC, ABC (Australia), or Al-Jazeera.

Short-term, the greatest beneficiary is Musharraf. Longer-term, it
could finish him.

[dailykoff]

60. "the al-Qaeda terrorist network"

Which one, CNN or Fox?

[otherlander]

64. How was she an "American asset"?

:shrug: