| Dec 27, 2007 @ 9:30 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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iam7545
Posts: 4,151
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After several attempts - today this brave woman was gunned down in Pakistan at an opposition rally.
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 9:36 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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budo13
Posts: 3,083
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so where does that leave Pakistan?is this a precursor to civil war?If there is civil war then will it spill over into India?Not to mention both have nukes this is all a very worrisome state of affairs
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 9:39 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/world/asia/28pakistan.html?ref=world
 so sad ..... a tragedy
Obituary: Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto followed her father into politics, and both of them died because of it - he was executed in 1979, she fell victim to an apparent suicide bomb attack.
Benazir Bhutto
Ms Bhutto had a volatile political career
Her two brothers also suffered violent deaths.
Like the Nehru-Gandhi family in India, the Bhuttos of Pakistan are one of the world's most famous political dynasties. Benazir's father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was prime minister of Pakistan in the early 1970s.
His government was one of the few in the 30 years following independence that was not run by the army.
Born in 1953 in the province of Sindh and educated at Harvard and Oxford, Ms Bhutto gained credibility from her father's high profile, even though she was a reluctant convert to politics.
She was twice prime minister of Pakistan, from 1988 to 1990, and from 1993 to 1996.
Stubbornness
On both occasions she was dismissed from office by the president for alleged corruption.
The dismissals typified her volatile political career, which was characterised by numerous peaks and troughs. At the height of her popularity - shortly after her first election - she was one of the most high-profile women leaders in the world.
Young and glamorous, she successfully portrayed herself as a refreshing contrast to the overwhelmingly male-dominated political establishment.
But after her second fall from power, her name came to be seen by some as synonymous with corruption and bad governance.
Asif Zardari going to court
Asif Zardari has faced numerous corruption charges
The determination and stubbornness for which Ms Bhutto was renowned was first seen after her father was imprisoned and charged with murder by Gen Zia ul-Haq in 1977, following a military coup. Two years later he was executed.
Ms Bhutto was imprisoned just before her father's death and spent most of her five-year jail term in solitary confinement. She described the conditions as extremely hard.
During stints out of prison for medical treatment, Ms Bhutto set up a Pakistan People's Party office in London, and began a campaign against General Zia.
She returned to Pakistan in 1986, attracting huge crowds to political rallies.
After Gen Zia died in an explosion on board his aircraft in 1988, she became one of the first democratically elected female prime ministers in an Islamic country.
Corruption charges
During both her stints in power, the role of Ms Bhutto's husband, Asif Zardari, proved highly controversial.
He played a prominent role in both her administrations, and has been accused by various Pakistani governments of stealing millions of dollars from state coffers - charges he denies, as did Ms Bhutto herself.
Many commentators argued that the downfall of Ms Bhutto's government was accelerated by the alleged greed of her husband.
None of about 18 corruption and criminal cases against Mr Zardari has been proved in court after 10 years. But he served at least eight years in jail.
He was freed on bail in 2004, amid accusations that the charges against him were weak and going nowhere.
Ms Bhutto also steadfastly denied all the corruption charges against her, which she said were politically motivated.
She faced corruption charges in at least five cases, all without a conviction, until amnestied in October 2007.
General Musharraf
President Pervez Musharraf held secret talks with Ms Bhutto
She was convicted in 1999 for failing to appear in court, but the Supreme Court later overturned that judgement.
Soon after the conviction, audiotapes of conversations between the judge and some top aides of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were discovered that showed that the judge had been under pressure to convict.
Ms Bhutto left Pakistan in 1999 to live abroad, but questions about her and her husband's wealth continued to dog her.
She appealed against a conviction in the Swiss courts for money-laundering.
During her years outside Pakistan, Ms Bhutto lived with her three children in Dubai, where she was joined by her husband after he was freed in 2004.
She was a regular visitor to Western capitals, delivering lectures at universities and think-tanks and meeting government officials.
Army mistrust
Ms Bhutto returned to Pakistan on 18 October 2007 after President Musharraf signed into law an ordinance granting her and others an amnesty from corruption charges.
Observers said the military regime saw her as a natural ally in its efforts to isolate religious forces and their surrogate militants.
She declined a government offer to let her party head the national government after the 2002 elections, in which the party received the largest number of votes.
In the months before her death, she had emerged again as a strong contender for power.
Some in Pakistan believe her secret talks with the military regime amounted to betrayal of democratic forces as these talks shored up President Musharraf's grip on the country.
Others said such talks indicated that the military might at long last be getting over its decades-old mistrust of Ms Bhutto and her party, and interpreted it as a good omen for democracy.
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 9:46 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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Bhutto was declared dead at 6.16pm (1.16pm GMT) after an attack on a rally by her Pakistan People's party, ahead of scheduled parliamentary elections in January. Another attempt on her life killed 140 people in October, as supporters took to the streets on her return from exile.
Her death has sparked panic among Pakistani bloggers, worried at what will happen next. The Pakistani Spectator says there are already reports that the elections will be postponed.
2.30pm
Dawn News, Pakistan's only English language news station, reports that Nawaz Sharif, another former Pakistani PM and long time political rival of Bhutto, addressed mourners outside the hospital. He told them Bhutto's death was an "act of terror" and promised it would not be in vain. "We will not give into violence," he is quoted as saying.
Dawn News is also reporting violence in Lahore, where it says posters advertising the election have been torn down, and Hydrebad, where cars are being set on fire. People have been advised to stay in doors
‘I did not come this far in life to be intimidated by suicide bombers,’
Benazir
Nawaz Sharif, also a former Pakistani leader, said outside the hospital where Bhutto had died following the blast: "I assure you that I will fight your war from now on," he told Bhutto's supporters
He said he shared the grief of "the entire nation".
Benazir is a true martyr ... giving her life to struggle for democracy .. she was my hero .. I am devastated
[Edited on 12/27/2007 9:56 AM]
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 9:52 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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iam7545
Posts: 4,151
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Sad to see how the extremists Muslims have taken the sensibility of Pakistan's politics back many years. The opposition to Bhuttos return came from those radicals that want to hold women down.
Let us hope that order can be upheld in Pakistan!
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 10:09 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 10:14 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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eastham
Posts: 6,317
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I'm sick. This is so very sad.
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 10:23 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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Nightowl001
Posts: 4,087
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A very sad day for Pakistan and for Democracy. My heartfelt sympathies to all those who most deeply feel this loss. 
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 10:36 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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iam7545
Posts: 4,151
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so where does that leave Pakistan?is this a precursor to civil war?If there is civil war then will it spill over into India?Not to mention both have nukes this is all a very worrisome state of affairs
budo - all this does is firm up the hold that the radicals have on Pakistan. Needless to say Bhutto was Western and liberal - Much of the opposition to Musharif also comes from the extremists because of his leanings to the Western World. So this pulls all of the politics in Pakistan to the extremists.
I predict that any civil war or protest will be stopped immediately by the Military.
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 11:11 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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alivenwell351
Posts: 1,496
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I predict that any civil war or protest will be stopped immediately by the Military.
I agree...but should it come to that, it will just be a temporary bandaid on a gaping gash...
Bhutto's assassination is not good at all...I can't imagine this not ultimately blowing up into something much bigger...
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 11:23 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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iam7545
Posts: 4,151
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alive - the Military is mostly extremist - theoretically this can give them the power to take over the country. They have always favored the Taliban.
Remember they have tried to kill Musharif 9 times. Good or bad - I can't see a civil war lasting very long - the Military is too powerful.
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 11:24 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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But first in respect for a lady who gave her life and lost members of her family for democracy ... please no arguing or smart comments today
She was at university of Oxford with my brother ....she was a strong and clever woman
she is a Heroine ...and took risks for her country ... and its a sad sad day
I am watching her family on tv .... she leaves three children
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 11:39 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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alivenwell351
Posts: 1,496
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Iam...I agree with your assessment...in the short term....
What I can't see is this ultimately staying contained to only Pakistanis within the county's borders...I can't imagine this not becoming a bigger issue than just Pakistan...I hope I'm wrong, but right this second I can't see that I am...JMO
I haven't seen much coverage yet, so I'm wondering whether she was killed because of who she is and what she stood for, or was she killed by muslim extremists who believe a woman has no right to be in her position of authority...
Or maybe a little of both??...Whatever it is, it isn't good...at all...
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 11:55 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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iam7545
Posts: 4,151
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alive - I agree - we have to hope for the best.
It makes no sense that Musharif would have done this - at all. Now the heat is on him - with Bhutto he looks more moderate.
There was a suicide bomb explosion - and then the gun shots. Clearly the footprint of the Taliban. Naturally they want to advance Sharia Law - which would exclude a Woman Prime Minister.
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 11:58 AM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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The Bhutto family have said on tv Musharaf is behind it ...
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 12:04 PM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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alivenwell351
Posts: 1,496
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It makes no sense that Musharif would have done this - at all. Now the heat is on him - with Bhutto he looks more moderate.
That's certainly one way to look at it...
Anther way though would be that Musharaf was actually behind it, having set it up to look like the Taliban did it....and if he were to pull it off it would be a win/win for him...
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 12:05 PM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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budo13
Posts: 3,083
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just cause they said it doesnt make it so i really do not believe Musharraf had anything to do with it.This women had and made many other enemies over the years
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 12:10 PM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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LAHORE, Pakistan – President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said he expects to step down as Pakistan army chief by the end of November and begin a new presidential term as a civilian.
In an interview, he blamed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, currently under house arrest for at least another day, for fueling political turmoil, and rejected Western pressure to quickly lift emergency rule, which he indicated was likely to continue through the January elections.
"All those who are blunt enough to tell me to my face what the reality is, all of them think, yes, it will lead the country to chaos if I do not handle the political environment now with me remaining as the president," he said, speaking at his army office.
he blamed her for loosing control
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 12:11 PM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan !
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Blondino
Posts: 4,274
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Ms. Bhutto said Tuesday that she was working to forge a partnership with Nawaz Sharif, the man overthrown as prime minister in a 1999 coup by Gen. Musharraf. She demanded that Gen. Musharraf step down, dashing Western hopes that the two moderate leaders would form an alliance to confront strengthening Islamic extremists.
Another opposition leader, cricket legend Imran Khan, was arrested after he showed up at a student rally in Lahore, police said, effectively silencing the only one of the general's outspoken critics who hadn't been in detention or exile. He was charged under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act, which includes penalties that can carry the death sentence or life imprisonment.
However, Ms. Bhutto said she would no longer try to work with Gen. Musharraf. "The international community needs to decide whether it will go with one man or the people of Pakistan," Ms. Bhutto said by telephone Tuesday from the house where she is being held in Lahore. The crackdown against pro-democracy activists in Pakistan continued on Tuesday with reports of more arrests of protesters and police beatings of lawyers. President Musharraf has appointed new judges to enforce his declaration of a State of Emergency. These judges have reversed their predecessors' decisions making emergency rule illegal. Following his dismissal, former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and a range of senior lawyers have urged protesters to step up efforts to restore the constitution. Acting in his capacity as army chief of staff, on 3 November, General Musharraf suspended the bulk of the constitution and acquired powers to amend it without any parliamentary procedure. Amnesty International (AI) has called for the immediate return to constitutional rule and the release of hundreds of people detained under the current measures, including human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and political party activists. The state of emergency declared by Musharraf is a blatant breach of international law that paves the way for escalating human rights abuses. "General Musharraf's actions constitute a direct assault on Pakistan’s judiciary, its vibrant human rights community, independent media and peaceful political dissent," said AI Secretary General Irene Khan, following the weekend's military crackdown. "Measures that have been portrayed as necessary to protect Pakistan are in fact a wholesale abrogation of fundamental human rights protections and dismantle the very institutions and checks and balances that underpin the country’s stability."
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/general-musharraf-cracks-down-on-opposition-20071106
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| Dec 27, 2007 @ 12:16 PM |
Bhutto Assasinated today in Pakistan ! |
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iam7545
Posts: 4,151
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Anther way though would be that Musharaf was actually behind it, having set it up to look like the Taliban did it....and if he were to pull it off it would be a win/win for him...
WHY - the Taliban wants Sharia LAw - they tried to kill her before - and publicly said that they would not allow her to have power.
A powerful woman is the worst nightmare of extremists Muslims. Remember -- they want woman to be covered! BURQA STYLE!
Here is this western woman running around the country holding political rallies!
It is non sense that Musharaf did this. Of course her family said this - her husband was executed and she has been in exile. Think she may have an ax to grind here?
In order for her family to regain power they have to replace Musharaf and run against the extremists!
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