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| VIDEOS: Peter Bergen on assassination attempt and Bhutto |
The violence, mayhem and the murder of at least 123 people, with over at least 250 wounded, was met by drivel from the White House.
“Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their
representatives through an open and democratic process,” National Security
Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
Who writes their stuff? Coming from Bush’s bunch, who have continued to prop up the autocratic rule of General Musharraf, I can’t wait to see “open and democratic” elections in Pakistan.
Bhutto’s near assassination could have been predicted, especially with the
rot at the core of Pakistan and the pro Taliban rise that has occurred. It doesn’t matter that the extremists are a minority when they’re this effective.
The former prime minister was returning in hopes of winning back her old
job and bringing stability to a political system that has been in turmoil
in recent months under the military-led government of President Pervez Musharraf.
The bombings — within 30 seconds of each other — threatened to plunge Pakistan
into deeper tumult.Bhutto has long been targeted by Islamic extremists for her secular views,
and Taliban militants had publicly threatened to greet her return with suicide
bombings. Despite the threats, she insisted on coming home as scheduled. She
made that point again Thursday on her flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
saying she had not had time to be afraid during the frantic preparations for
what was to be a national tour.
Bhutto had extra secuity for her homecoming, so there can be no doubt that
without she would have been killed. It runs in the family history. Her father
was hanged, with both of her brothers dying mysterious deaths. This isn’t going
to end well.
Whatever anyone thinks of Bhutto, though she’s very popular with the people of Pakistan, she does hold the hope for a better Pakistan than what Musharraf has offered. But given the instability of the country who knows what will actually unfold. Competing forces have a way of colliding.
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