Richardson: Bhutto=courage; Musharraf 'must go'

[bigtree]

from the Baltimore Sun: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/richardson_bhuttocourage_musha.html


New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, issued the following statement on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

DENISON, IA -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson issued the following statement this morning after the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

"Benazir Bhutto was a courageous woman. Her death, and the deaths of so many of her supporters, is more than just a tragedy. It is a testament to the will of the Pakistani people to see democracy restored. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died today.

"Ms. Bhutto knew the dangers to her safety. But she would not be intimidated. We also must not be intimidated.

A leader has died, but democracy must live. The United States government cannot stand by and allow Pakistan's return to democracy to be derailed or delayed by violence.

We must use our diplomatic leverage and force the enemies of democracy to yield: President Bush should press Musharraf to step aside, and a broad-based coalition government, consisting of all the democratic parties, should be formed immediately. Until this happens, we should suspend military aid to the Pakistani government. Free and fair elections must also be held as soon as possible.

It is in the interests of the US that there be a democratic Pakistan that relentlessly hunts down terrorists. Musharraf has failed, and his attempts to cling to power are destabilizing his country. He must go."

[ceile]

1. Strong statement.

How many others will say "we need to stand by the current government to keep the country stable"?

[MethuenProgressive]

2. k+r=links!

Bill Richardson:
www.2013IsTooLate.com
www.TheDifferenceOnIraq.com
www.richardsonforpresident.com
:kick:

[JDPriestly]

3. Excellent statement

[seasat]

4. We've got to break our cycle of supporting these dictatorships.

I whole heartily agree with Richardson. We supported the Shah in Iran like Musharraf and look where it ended up there.

[MethuenProgressive]

5. This is how an experienced candidate responds.

Others trot out their Axlerods.

[rucky]

6. And then? n/t

[pipoman]

7. The strongest statement

of any of the candidates. I would have liked to seen the delivery, I bet it was smooth, forceful yet without the jingle jangle of spurs.

[burrowowl]

8. K&R!

And Bill knows what he is talking about.

[cooolandrew]

9. Richardson is so massively under-rated hope he gets a top job in a new cabinet.