December 27, 2007
Bhutto - a "liberal" - assassinated
It is all over the news that Benazir Bhutto was assassinated as she was leaving a political rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Original reports said that she died from shrapnel from a suicide bomber on a motorcycle. The story then changed to the assassin shooting her, and then blowing himself up.
Bhutto had recently returned to Pakistan to run in the January elections against Musharraf. Her death raises concerns about democracy in Pakistan.
Bhutto's death marks a string of events that have occurred to strengthen Musharraf's likelihood of reelection. However, the issue of "democracy" has been in doubt for some time. In March 2007, Musharraf removed Pakistan's Supreme Court Chief Justice (who has been highly vocal about the legality of Musharraf's rule) attacked which sparked growing protests. Musharraf continued his purge of the courts in spite of lawyers, judges, and massive public protest. The protests have continued into the present, and even in November were still being met with aggressive confrontation by Musharraf's forces. Since the Supreme Court is central in the election process, the "stacking the court is certainly preparation for the upcoming elections.
In November 2007, Musharraf he declared "emergency rule." This was purportedly to crack down on terrorism, except that those arrested and confined (including Bhutto) were primarily members of the political opposition. The declaration of emergency was supported by the U.S. even while asking for moderation from Musharraf. The purported reason for the continued U.S. support of Musharraf is his position as an ally in the "war on terrorism." This support makes clear that U.S. "interests" trumps "democracy" whether in Pakistan, Iraq, or the United States.
While the corporate press discusses "democracy" and the "liberal" nature of Bhutto, there are other reports that discuss the more questionable nature of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan (for example, "Benazir Bhutto's life a sweeping epic of blood and controversy).
Bhutto left office under a cloud of corruption, yet she is being held up as the "hope" for democracy in Pakistan. Musharraf on the other hand, has clearly been corrupt when it comes to remaining in power and his status as an ally is belied by ongoing links to both the Taleban and other "Islamists." One might well ask where the $5 billion in U.S. aid has disappeared to. Or even if there are larger concerns about the Punjab pipeline might be of concern.
All of this begs the question of Who Killed Benazir Bhutto?. Was it "extremists," the ISI (Pakistan's intelligence agency), or other political contenders? It should also be asked what exactly "democracy" means - whether in Pakistan or elsewhere?
Regardless of corruption, manipulation, and strong arm practices, the death of Bhutto seems likely to both increase the conflict inside Pakistan, and narrow the field for a "democratic" coup by Pervez Musharraf. The loss of Bhutto is damaging to hopes for peace in Pakistan and the region. Despite her questionable background, she did offer a different path, and perhaps a path back to constitutional democracy in Pakistan. Perhaps the best question to ask is who are the benefactors of ongoing chaos - in Pakistan and elsewhere.
Recommended Additional Reading
Blowback, Pakistan-style. Mark LeVine. Al Jazeera. 10/24/2007.
Benazir Bhutto's life a sweeping epic of blood and controversy. AP. 12/27/2007.
Pakistan's Missing Are Doubly Lost. Bruce Wallace. LA Times. 12/27/2007.
Posted by rowan at December 27, 2007 10:51 AM | [eMail this article!] |"Perhaps the best question to ask is who are the benefactors of ongoing chaos - in Pakistan and elsewhere. "
That was my initial reaction and, I am almost afraid to find out.
Posted by: bill at December 27, 2007 4:03 PM
Take a careful long look at those pointing their fingers first...! Including ME!
Lies are being manufactured as we breathe! Apparently now she was killed by the bomber intended to cover the murderer's shooting.... In cases like this, I suggest we not only shoot the perpetrators, the manipulators of news, but also their messengers!
The people responsible are those voting right in this country since Agnew was shooting off his stupid mouth and before!!!!!!!!! People like McCain, who considers himself an expert on war from his experience as a long distance murderer jet jockey and from inside a cell at the Hanoi Hilton (give me a break), who didn't get the revolution that occurred when the Beatles landed in '62, because he was consumed with being Dumb-assed Daddy's little soldier for glory!!!!! Sorry bastards, all...and the upstart little pipsqueaks they have spawned and sent off into uniform in the name of flag and glory and freedom!!!!
Ultimately the murderers are voters right here who think they vote for freedom!
Follow the non-renewaqble resources that follows the money that follows the path to increased global power...! Oh Look, it is the Top two percent of the wealthiest people in the world, being powered by the larger percentage of ignorance of the lower Slobovian population in any given incarnation of Al Capp's metaphor! No matter who is on top, it only gets worse when you are also underwater!
Posted by: Ed at December 28, 2007 12:28 AMPeople like those most likely to gloss all the points Ron Paul states that attract voters who don't know what substance is if it bites them in the ass, who might have, like me, voted for Anderson (the foil), in 1980 thinking they were voting for the ideal of realizing a two party system at least, but who helped usher in this thirty plus year regime of fascist mothers....hard hats, rednecks, shit heads who don't know what struggle republicanism was founded on/in...and Bill the Cat...."Pthbstht!"
Posted by: Ed at December 28, 2007 12:44 AMI was watching Charlie Rose...There's a new book out by ROBINSON, titled something like HAITI, THE UNBROKEN ...something or other, about the truth about Aristeide and US complexification in Haiti, the oldest western Indes Democracy that has no riches, only poverty, hunger, and disease, so who white gives a shit...read it! See if anything there says anything about today in Pakistan and tell us what you think!
Posted by: Ed at December 28, 2007 1:04 AMThe U.S. government has long ties with Pakistan's ISI as they were used to funnel money to the Taleban in Pakistan. Then, they purportedly turned on a dime to side with the U.S. against the Taleban. That just seems highly unlikely - particularly given the complaints that Pakistan is not doing enough as an "ally" in the "war on terror," or in controlling its borders from Afghanistan al Qaeda. Add to that the billions of dollars that seem to have evaporated, and the reports that Karzai has shipped 2 Brit diplomats out because they were purportedly negotiating with the Taleban, and the already grey picture gets decidedly darker.
Posted by: rowan at December 28, 2007 5:19 AMBhutto's assassination is a tragedy; for the promise of women in positions of leadership in the Muslim world, and for the hope of a semblance of democratic rule in Pakistan. Musharraf's duplicity and corruption is heavily documented. It has always surprised me how docile the U.S. has been with Pakistan (somewhat understandable now that Pakistan has nukes), as it seems clear that Musharraf's government has done little to flush Bin Laden out from Pakistani borderlands.
Bill, I think you are right ... one has to wonder who profits from chaos in the far east, and how Bin Laden's continued presence serves to prolong our war machine ...
Posted by: Pamela at December 30, 2007 12:24 PMOnce you look beyond the 'Murdochised'media some facts can be gleaned,such as the reality that in Pakistan 80% of the country is owned by 22 families each of which uses bonded labour(slaves).The Bhutto family is one of these,their idea of democracy is to perpetuate the system under the guise of liberty.Stack the high court with your cronies,control the free press and give the people 'Bread and Circuses'invent a Bogie man to scare you,and if you dont vote for me the terrorists will win.Remember that in our liberal democracy"The Truth is Subversive"
Posted by: ken at December 31, 2007 8:15 AM