Bhutto has been murdered

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

Sad news... but I'm certainly not surprised...

Heard about it this morning on NPR. I'm shocked.

When those 180 people were blown up upon her return the writing was on the wall.

BBB
Nothing surprises me any more.

BBB

Unfortunately, this is not a surprise. It is, however, both shocking and sad that this has happened. It is a big loss for the Pakistani people.

Bhutto murder 'could spark civil war'
Bhutto murder 'could spark civil war'
PA reporters
Published: 27 December 2007
Independent UK

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto threatens to plunge a nuclear armed Pakistan into civil war, opposition groups warned today.

The former prime minister was killed by a suicide bomber as she left a public rally in the city of Rawalpindi today.

Commentators said the killing would make the postponement of the upcoming elections almost certain and could spark further unrest.

Riaz Malik, of the opposition Pakistan Movement for Justice party (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), warned: "The impact will be that Pakistan is in more turmoil - it will be the start of civil war in Pakistan.

"There is a very real danger of civil war in Pakistan."

He said that while suspicion was likely to fall on insurgent groups based in the northern tribal areas near the Afghan border, the killing was bound to increase dissatisfaction with the regime of President Pervez Musharraf.

"There will be a lot of fingers pointed at the government," he said.

World Press - DAWN NEWS - Pakistan
Satellite Parameters for DAWN NEWS - Pakistan

Benazir's death: Musharraf convenes emergency meeting RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Formr prime minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination Thursday in a suicide attack has left a void at the top of her Pakistan People's Party, and has also thrown into turmoil U.S. President George W. Bush's plan to bring stability to this key U.S. ally by reconciling her and President Pervez Musharraf. Shortly after Benazir's death, President Pervez Musharraf convened an emergency meeting with his senior staff, where they were expected to discuss whether to postpone the election, an official at the Interior Ministry said, speaking on condition of anonymity. As news of her death spread, supporters at the hospital in Rawalpindi smashed glass doors and stoned cars. Many chanted anti-Musharraf slogans. Angry supporters also took to the streets in the northwestern city of Peshawar as well other areas. In Rawalpindi, the site of the attack, Bhutto's supporters burned election posters from the ruling party and attacked police, who fled from the scene. In Karachi, shop owners quickly closed their businesses as supporters from Bhutto's party burned tires on the roads. Nawaz Sharif, another former premier and leader of a rival opposition party, speaking to the BBC, questioned whether to hold the elections. "I think perhaps none of us is inclined to think of the elections," he said. "We would have to sit down and take a very serious look at the current situation together with the People's Party and see what we have to do in the coming days." The attacker struck just minutes after Benazir Bhutto addressed an election rally of thousands of supporters. There were conflicting accounts over the sequence of events. Rehman Malik, Bhutto's security adviser, said she was shot in the neck and chest by the attacker, who then blew himself up. But Javed Iqbal Cheema, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, told state-run Pakistan Television that Bhutto died when a suicide bomber struck her vehicle. Bhutto was rushed to the hospital and taken into emergency surgery. "At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of PPP who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)

US condemns attack on Benazir WASHINGTON, Dec 27 (Reuters) - The United States condemned an attack that killed Benazir Bhutto, a U.S. State Department official said on Thursday. "The attack shows that there are still those in Pakistan trying to undermine reconciliation and democratic development," the official said. President George W. Bush, spending the holidays at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, was briefed on the reports about the Bhutto assassination. "The president has been informed about the situation in Pakistan," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said but did not provide any more details. (Posted @ 20:12 PST)

Asif Zardari, children on way to Pakistan DUBAI, Dec 27 (AFP) - Supporters of slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in the United Arab Emirates expressed shock and grief after she was assassinated in suicide attack on Thursday. "This is a big tragedy for Pakistan. This is a very big shock for us," Zubeir Bashir, Middle East spokesman for Bhutto's PPP told AFP by telephone. He said that Benazir's husband Asif Zardari and members of Bhutto family including their children who had remained in Dubai after her return to her homeland in October were already on their way to Pakistan. (Posted @ 20:00 PST)

India calls Bhutto death terrible blow to democracy NEW DELHI, Dec 27 (Reuters) - India said the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Thursday was a tragedy and a terrible blow to the democratic process. "In her death the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country," said Sanjaya Baru, spokesman for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "It is equally sad that this happened when the people of Pakistan were looking up to her," junior Indian foreign minister Anand Sharma told the NDTV news channel. "It is a terrible blow to the democratic process, and no words are adequate to condemn this abominable act," he said. (Posted @ 20:06 PST)

Sharif vows to fight Bhutto's 'war' RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 27 (AFP) - Pakistan opposition leader Nawaz Sharif vowed to "fight your war from now on" after the assassination Thursday of Benazir Bhutto and said he shared the grief of "the entire nation". A shaken Sharif was speaking outside the hospital where Bhutto, 54, died in a suicide attack after a campaign rally for next month's parliamentary elections. "I assure you that I will fight your war from now on," he told Bhutto's supporters, who were crying and wailing outside the hospital in the city of Rawalpindi. "I share your sorrow and grief along with the entire nation," Sharif said. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)

Pakistan police tear gas protest after Bhutto killed PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 27 (AFP) - Pakistan police used tear gas and batons to break up an angry demonstration Thursday in the city of Peshawar after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, an AFP reporter on the scene said. (Posted @ 19:46 PST)

France condemns Bhutto killing PARIS, Dec 27 (AFP) - France on Thursday condemned the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, describing it as an "odious act." A statement said that Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner "expresses his deep emotion following the attack which has cost the life of Benazir Bhutto, whom he knew personally." "He presents his condolences to her family, to the victims of this attack and to the Pakistani people. He strongly condemns this odious act. He salutes the memory of Mrs Bhutto, an eminent figure in Pakistani politics," the statement said. "He reaffirms our country's attachment to Pakistan's stability and its democracy, which should be at the centre of attention for the whole international community," it said. (Posted @ 19:42 PST)

Benazir Bhutto killed in gun, bomb attack RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack after an election rally in the city of Rawalpindi on Thursday. Police said a suicide bomber fired shots at Bhutto as she was leaving the rally venue in a park before blowing himself up. "The man first fired at Bhutto's vehicle. She ducked and then he blew himself up," said police officer Mohammad Shahid. Police said 16 other people had been killed in the blast, but tv channels said at 20 persons were killed." A Reuters witness at the scene of the attack said he had heard two shots moments before the blast. Another Reuters witness saw bodies and a mutilated human head strewn on a road outside the park where she held her rally. People cried and hugged each other outside the hospital where she died and residents of Karachi, Bhutto's home town, said they had heard gun shots after news of Bhutto's death spread, apparently from her enraged supporters. (Posted @ 19:26 PST)

Gold, bonds rise after Bhutto death LONDON, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Gold and government bonds rose while U.S. stock futures fell on Thursday after news Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack after an election rally in the city of Rawalpindi. Financial market moves accelerated after weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data released shortly after the news. Data showed new orders for long-lasting U.S.-made manufactured goods rose by a much less-than-expected 0.1 percent during November. Gold rallied to a one-month high, reaching $834.70 an ounce. Analysts say the shock of the Bhutto news triggered a classic capital flight to assets which are considered as safe havens in times of geopolitical stress. "(Bhutto) is just a concern. The move to gold is the flight to safety and quality on the headlines on a quiet illiquid day," said Camilla Sutton, currency strategist at Scotia Capital in Toronto. U.S. government bond prices were up 78 ticks for a yield of 4.1872 percent. Euro zone government bond prices also rose after the Bhutto news and U.S. data, paring earlier losses to standing slightly down on the day. U.S. stock futures were down around 0.3 percent, indicating a weaker open on Wall Street later. World stocks, on a MSCI measure, were up a quarter percent on the day. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)

Benazir Bhutto dead in Pakistan attack: interior ministry RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 27 (AFP) Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed Thursday in a suicide attack at Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh campaign rally, the interior ministry told AFP. A suicide bomber blew himself up just after the rally. "It may have been pellets packed into the suicide bomber's vest that hit her," interior ministry spokesman Javed Cheema said. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)

Bhutto dies in suicide blast, about 20 killed RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 27 (AP) - Opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died Thursday from her injuries sustained in a suicide attack, a party aide said. "At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital. A senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, confirmed that Benazir Bhutto had died. Her supporters at the hospital began chanting anti-Musharrafslogans and some of them smashed the glass door at the main entrance of the emergency unit; others burst into tears. One man with a flag of Pakistan People's Party tied around his head was beating his chest. Sen. Babar Awan, Bhutto's lawyer, said, "The surgeons confirmed that she has been martyred." At least 20 others were killed in the blast that took place as Bhutto left a political rally where she addressed thousands of supporters to canvas votes for Jan. 8 parliamentary elections. Benazir Bhutto served twice as Pakistan's prime minister between 1988 and 1996. She had returned to Pakistan from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18. Her homecoming parade in Karachi was also targeted by a suicide attacker, killing more than 140 people. On that occasion she narrowly escaped injury. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)

Benazir's death may trigger terror: Russian diplomat MOSCOW, Dec 27 (Reuters) The killing of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto Thursday could trigger a wave of terror in the country, a top Russian diplomat was quoted as saying. "An act of terror is a bad sign," Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov, Russia's most senior Asia diplomat, told Itar-Tass news agency. "We hereby offer our condolences. This will for certain trigger a wave of terrorism." (Posted @ 18:52 PST)

Benazir Bhutto killed in gun, bomb attack RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 27 (Reuters) Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack after a rally in Rawalpindi Thursday, Pakistan People's Party said. "She has been martyred," said party official Rehman Malik. Benazir, 54, died in hospital in Rawalpindi. A private tv channel said she had been shot in the head. Police said a suicide bomber fired shots at Benazir as she was leaving the rally venue in a park before blowing himself up. "The man first fired at Bhutto's vehicle. She ducked and then he blew himself up," said police officer Mohammad Shahid. Police said 16 people had been killed in the blast. Earlier, party officials said Benazir was safe. A Reuters witness said he saw bodies on a road as well as a mutilated human head. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)

Pakistan TV (in English)
Pakistan TV in English:

http://www.dawnnews.tv/home/index.aspx

Re: Bhutto murder 'could spark civil war'


That would be terrible.

I had the opportunity to talk to a reporter friend who was writing the story. He told me, the bombing was used to divert the security personnel and public, so that the snipers could do the job. They shot at her five times; one bullet managed to hit her right in the throat. She was taken to a hospital but kicked dust before they could operate her.

She was a bold and brave woman. This stinks. Hard.

BBB--

Thanks for the research.

you may want to read what NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE wrote about pakistan just a couple of months ago :

PAKISTAN - ISLAM'S FAULT LINE

instead of wasting resources on the iraq war , it would have been more important to pay attention to AMERICA'S (so called) ALLY aka. PAKISTAN !
hbg

Too late for that now, burgerman. There's some serious sh!t about to hit the fan over there as we speak.
If Musharraf doesn't do anything to stop further violence, this will seem like a Carte Blanche for the taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Big trouble indeed.

yes, but georgie got his pencil dick into Iraq so that's all that really matters right?

Interesting - my father has the TV on in the background while cooking and eating, and the Benazir Bhutto murder is everywhere. We heard it on French news, on German news, and just now on BBC.

Without saying anything about what happened, the comparison between how the different countries' news stations report the events is striking.

The French and German coverage was roughly comparable: a focus on domestic Pakistani politics, an emphasis on the major recent domestic upheavals, the civic protests against the regime, the history of Bhutto's politics overall, and when it comes to the suspected perpetrators, a strong emphasis on the suspicions that Musharraf is behind it, and may even use the murder as an excuse to reimpose emergency role.

BBC: In the second sentence, it's Al-Qaeda and "linked Islamic fundamentalist terrorists", the third, the importance of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, and it continues with Bhutto's promise that when in power, she would allow the Americans to pursue terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistani terrorists. Only in about the fifth or sixth 'paragraph' there is a mention that "people in Bhutto's party believe that" it might be Musharraf.

bigdice wrote :



musharraf has essential given control over the frontier to afghanistan to tribal forces - taliban , al qaeda etc, etc. - , he does not seem to have sufficient strenght to keep pakistan united .
to me he looks like a puppet in the employ of the military and other corrupt groups trying to suppress the people .
musharraf reminds me of another (former) STRONGMAN AND (former) ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES : THE SHA OF IRAN ! (anyone remember him ? )
hbg

The stations here that I listen to all mention that there are serious questions regarding Musharraf's willingness to protect her adequately, including for those who aren't aware that she was his political opposition and they also go into the fact that he's been subverting democracy by hanging on to power (not in those words).

That seems clear enough.

As islam and democracy doesn't see eye to eye, that's more than enough motive for a Talib to kill Bhutto. And Musharraf is playing with too many people right now. "Ally" to the US, the mullahs.
Damn, I had hopes she could do it this time, without the corruption.