Log In | Register
11 Votes
51 Comments
Update: Bhutto Has Died from Suicide Attack
News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:17 AM EST
Article Source: National Post
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan -- Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was wounded in a gun and bomb attack after a rally in the city of Rawalpindi on Thursday, a party security official and police said.
Published to:
 | Zeitzonen Weltzeit Weltuhr | happyzebra.com | Wed Dec 26 | 0 |
Stop Tracking
- © 2005-2007 Newsvine, Inc.
Code of Honor- Company Info
- Contact Us
- Jobs
- User Agreement
- Privacy Policy
- Copyright Policy
According to the radio news, she is in surgery.
AP just reported that Benazir Bhutto has died from her wounds.
This is not good. I thought Pakistan was bad now, it's only going to get worse now that Bhutto is dead.
Thanks for posting this to the Breaking News Group.
Brandon,
Thanks for starting the group. Even the net was slow on this. I heard most on the radio.
Briefly after you posted, CNN.com had nothing up, so without this I probably wouldn't have known until I conveniently flipped to a cable news station later today.
Not good at all.
The latest news from Fox is that she was shot. That the bombing may have been a diversion to get her away from that area. She apparently died of a gunshot wound to the neck.
Here is an update from CNN:
Report: Bhutto killed in attack
Thanks for seeding Epiphany. The chance that this could spark a civil war in Pakistan and de-stabilize that whole area bothers me greatly.
nw-meyer
Have they determined who is behind the attacks on Bhutto? This doesn't look good for the opposition.
ES,
As far as I'm aware they haven't identified the bomber yet, but given the history between Bhutto and Musharif I'll be surprised if he's not at the very top of the list. What gets me though is that with the recent bombing attempts on high ranking Pakistani military staff I could easily see larger terrorist organizations using this to ignite the nation and splinter it apart where they'd thrive.
For me, it's too perfect a setup to rule out a kind of terrorist political plot. No matter who achieved it though my only good hope is that it galvanizes the Pakistani people into an absolute anti-terrorist stance... long shot though it may be.
nw @ 7.2
Good points. The Pakistanis seemed ok with harboring terrorist groups as long as the terrorism was being exported, but now that it is being turned on them, they may realize that it's time to set aside that kind of strategy and expel these groups. Isn't this (Pakistan) where bin Laden is presumed to be in hiding?
Epiphany 7.3
Yes, it is and he's rumored to be somewhere in the hard-to access mountains on the border with Afghanistan IIRC, though due to the mountainous regions that are basically beyond control of the Pakistani military I dare-say it's somewhat far removed from the centralized Pakistan political machine. I don't think this would bring Osama out of hiding, but they'd be fools not to take this chance to drive the wedge in as deeply as they could. As much as I despise terrorism they've proven to be anything but fools.
Even the idea that opening another front for Al-Queda could stretch they're resources thinner falls by the wayside when you consider the kind of recruitment that could be possible under a Pakistan gripped by civil war.
I dislike going the doomsday route in my opinions, but I just can't see any way this could be turned around and maintain Pakistan's momentum towards democracy. The only light I can find here is the elections in January, but I think we'll see major violence and bombings come the elections too, likely more now than before.
I am misspelling everything today :P Time to break out the Google again.
nw-meyer
al Qaeda has declared responsibility for the attack. Let me see if I can find the link. I was going to seed the article, but someone on Newsvine has already done so.
Pakistan: Al-Qaeda claims Bhutto's death.
From someone (AKA Larry H-189743)
Additionally, please read Mark Steyn's article where he relates a U.S. State Department goal to the push for democracy in Pakistan:
http://larryh.newsvine.com/_news/2007/12/27/1188962-benazir-bhutto-by-mark-steyn-thursday-december-27-2007
Larry @ 7.7
I sooo apologize for calling you "someone" - I knew I'd never get all the numbers correct.
Epiph:
Oh @!$%#. If Imhran Khan is next, this will be civil war, and all the worst case scenarios come back into play, Osama getting nukes, etc.
This is bad, bad, bad BAD BAD BAD .
jfx @ 8
I was just thinking how courageous Ms Bhutto was. This was at least the 3rd or 4th attempt on her life, wasn't it?
Epiph:
A genuine small-d democrat.
Pakistan's Bhutto assassinated - Pakistan - msnbc.com
It is a tragedy that another world leader in the fight against terrorism has been struck down by the very evil that she so much opposed during her lifetime.
To her family, most especially to her children we offer condolences, and sympathy; in a world where there are few true leaders against the evil of terrorism the loss of Benazir Bhutto is a blow to every human being who believes that terrorism must be stopped. While those closest to her grieve her loss those who knew her heart must pick up the torch and carry on in the fight to end such senseless violence. Benazir was a women of great valor, a ruby among us, she never ceased in her belief that a free and democratic government was needed so that her country and it's people could take its place in the world. Even when we were young, studying democracy and the democratic process she would speak of her longing to bring that type of government to her beloved Pakistan.
Some might say that she was fool hearty, even reckless in returning to Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto knew the risk was great, but the sterngth of her heart led her to try once more to bring hope to her people, often great risk is overcome by the belief that one might succeed in their quest...we should honor her for the bravery she exhibited, for the dream she never lost, for the moments of life when she risk much for the sake of many! She was, and will remain a great leader, one the history books will not soon forget.
Pakistan's Bhutto assassinated - Pakistan - msnbc.com It is a tragedy that another world leader in the fight against terrorism has been struck down by the very evil that she so much opposed during her lifetime. To her family, most especially to her children we offer condolences, and sympathy; in a world where there are few true leaders against the evil of terrorism the loss of Benazir Bhutto is a blow to every human being who believes that terrorism must be stopped. While those closest to her grieve her loss those who knew her heart must pick up the torch and carry on in the fight to end such sensless violence. Benazir was a women of great valor, a ruby amoung us, she never ceased in her belief that a free and democratic government was needed so that her country and it's people could take its place in the world. Even when we were young, studying democracy and the democratic process she would speak of her longing to bring that type of government to her beloved Pakistan. Some might say that she was fool hearty, even reckless in returning to Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto knew the risk was great, but the sterngth of her heart led her to try once more to bring hope to her people, often great risk is overcome by the belief that one might succeed in their quest...we should honor her for the bravery she exhibited, for the dream she never lost, for the moments of life when she risk much for the sake of many! She was, and will remain a great leader, one the history books will not soon forget.
Prime Minister Bhutto - RIP......sadly, when I heard the news this morning......my first reaction was "I'm not surprised" - she was such a courageous leader---anyone else knowing the threats she faced would have been hiding in a cave (like someone else I know) - but she was out at a rally ---yes, this is like Jack said - bad, very bad - but one can only hope that some good will come from her death if it can turn enough of the population against Al Qaeda - such could ultimately help us in the hunt for Bin laden.....one can only hope.
It's obvious that al Qaeda feared a Bhutto win. She didn't buy into their terrorism tactics and they wanted her removed.
"...but one can only hope that some good will come from her death if it can turn enough of the population against Al Qaeda - such could ultimately help us in the hunt for Bin laden.....one can only hope."
Perhaps. No doubt, riots and violence will escalate, and Musharraf (should he survive what will likely be more attempts on his life) will impose martial law at some point, and delay elections. He will probably be read the riot act, so to say, by us, and he will either crack down on al qaeda/taliban areas and types, or wake up one morning to find he's been overthrown by some in his military that we will find more useful to our policy. Regardless, we will never allow a substantial risk of Pak nukes falling into islamofascist hands.
Someone in uniform opened up on her with an AK47 just as she popped her head through the top of her vehicle. A bullet in the neck, another in the head. Then he blew himself up. Odd that he knew just when she'd expose herself, unless he was but one attacker of many along the route.
Meanwhile, Sharif is said to be allied with Islamist groups, and Khan appears to be in league with the tribals offering haven to the Taliban and possibly extremists including Uzbeks and al-Qaeda.
Before he was overthrown, Sharif tried to kill Musharraf. Khan has called for Musharraf's death. Old Knobby and Mullah FM want him dead, too. Bhutto's death does not help Musharraf. ISI? The Taliban? Both wanted her dead.
I can't help but wonder if the funeral will be attacked; it is, after all, a tactic terrorists employ.
'roads,
I know you have been watching Pakistan for a long time. I hope your fears about the funeral go unrealized.
We'll know within the day.
I can't imagine what Shaheen Buneri (hails from NW Pakistan) is thinking.
The Taliban and al Qaeda are the winners here. Musharraf is weakened.
The military had warned against rallies like this. How to defend when there could be hundreds of assassins and the political custom is to allow followers to touch the candidate? I think she knew she would be killed -- the Taliban do not make idle threats. I honestly don't think this comes as a surprise.
(The report now says she was hit in the chest and neck.)
Sharif has just called for Musharraf to step down in the wake of the assassination. The pressure is beginning to be turned up. It's hard to figure how this may turn out. Musharraf is in a very tough spot. A smart move might be to enlist some serious Western\European support to deal with the border region enclaves that in all likelihood are responsible.
Sharif wasn't really best buds with Bhutto. Yes, Musharraf's razor's edge has become much keener.
What we don't need now is a domestic candidate here making ill-advised comments about what to do; i.e., launching an attack into the tribal areas. Rather, the U.S., India and China must rally behind Musharraf. The U.S., as a Musharraf toppling is the worst-case scenario right now. India, because of the border and Kashmir. China had a hand in the Red Mosque incident, which led to quite a bit of the bloodshed since then.
"What we don't need now is a domestic candidate here making ill-advised comments about what to do"
Roads - I couldn't agree more - as I mentioned earlier my first thought was "I'm not surprised" - 2nd thought - may this courageous woman rest in peace (she had to know this was coming and soon) and 3rd - someone please tell Obama to KEEP QUIET.
Lisa, I just read that Richardson of all people has issued an ill-advised remark, but I've not double-checked that. Obama may lay low on this one.
"A smart move might be to enlist some serious Western\European support to deal with the border region enclaves that in all likelihood are responsible."
A bit premature here. We first need to give Musharraf the opportunity to do what needs to be done here. Once he again shows he's unwilling to really go in there and clean house, then things really get hot and furious. Stay tuned.
Epiph:
Biden is totally kicking ass on Hardball. No blah blah bull@!$%# bull@!$%#. The Man with the Plan.
jfx @ 16
If the edia is to be believed, it will be Biden and McCain in '08, huh?
E:
That might be the matchup that best serves the national interest.
Never happen, though. Sigh.
jfxgillis @ 16.2
Thankfully, the electorate won't agree with you . . . I hope (on bsota).
Hi Jack - I missed Biden on Hardball ---but did get to see both Fred Thompson and Giuiliani kick some $%&ss; on Hannity & Colmes (they had McCain on too --but I don't care for him). Thompson does SO MUCH better in one on ones vs. the debates.
lisa (and Epiph):
Glad you tingled this tracker. I meant to expand on 16.2 and 16.3 but forgot.
I don't care for McCain anymore than you do, a lot less, probably. Heck, if not for Iraq, Biden wouldn't even be on my radar. I'd be for Chris Dodd or Barack Obama probably. But the reason why I think a McCain-Biden matchup would best serve the national interest is because it would pit not only the two candidates most experienced in foreign affairs, but they have widely divergent policy ideas for the conduct of foreign affairs going forward.
Keep doing what we been doing or change track. The American public has both the right to make that choice as clearly and definitively as possible and the duty to make that choice.
Jack - I am of the opinion that as far as the GOP is concerned---both McCain AND Giuliani would have an easier time winning a general election vs. the nomination because of their ability to reach across the aisle and/or appeal to independent voters.
lisa:
Speaking strictly in terms of my comment above, I'd vastly prefer McCain. Being Mayor of New York may be a big job, but it doesn't give you foreign policy experience. But you're right about their ability to appeal to indies.
Jack,
Please stop saying that about McCain. He is a nutcase and not suited to be President. He has no foreign policy experience. Neither does Biden when it comes right down to it. Presidents always hire someone to do that so that the State Department has someone knowledgeable to undermine.
Jack - I prefer executive experience (and yes mayors count here ---particularly those overseeing the world's greatest city) to legislative branch experience---with the one exception to that rule being that I still like Thompson.
Lisa,
Oh, no. Do you really hate Thompson?
sob
Epi - NO! I think you misread my post - I love him and have been very encouraged by his recent performance (albeit it late to the party) in Iowa.
lisa -
Oh, I see now that I misread your comment. phew
I think Fred will get the nomination. Shall I write an article about why? giggle
Epi - please do! I am among those who believe there are still surprises in store on the GOP side - and with any luck Fred could be one of them.
Epiph:
Pardon me.
The Senate of the United States has a CONSTITUTIONAL role in foreign affairs. No matter how many decades partisans of executive power (notice the phrasing, I freely concede Dems have been just as guilty when they held the executive branch) go on insisting that foreign policy is an executive function, it isn't.
The Senate Committe on Foreign Relations traces its roots back to the beginnings of the Republic.
Jack,
Yeah, it's as helpful to remind us of the origins and supposed function of the Senate's role in foreign affairs as it is to use the old definition of "liberal" to describe your political stance today.
E:
It really only matters maybe three or four times a century, but when it matters it really, really, really matters.
Lisa @ 16.13
Your wish is my command:
Epiphany Sorbet's Fearless Prediction for the Republican Presidential Nomination