Some not so shocking news from the London Times this morning…
“On the day she was assassinated, Benazir Bhutto was due to meet two senior American politicians to show them a confidential report alleging that Pakistan’s intelligence service was using US money to rig parliamentary elections, officials in her party said yesterday.
The report was compiled by the former Prime Minister’s own contacts within the security services and alleged that the Inter-Services Intelligence agency was running the election operation from a safe house in the capital, Islamabad, they said. The operation’s aim was to undermine Ms Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and to ensure victory for the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) party, which supports President Musharraf, in the elections scheduled for January 8.
Patrick Kennedy, a Democratic congressman for Rhode Island, and Arlen Specter, a Republican member of the Senate sub-committe on foreign operations, have confirmed that they were planning to have dinner with Ms Bhutto on Thursday evening but were not available for comment yesterday.
Sarfraz Ali Lashari, a senior PPP official who works in its election monitoring cell, told The Times that he had helped to compile a 200-page report on the Government’s efforts to rig the poll, which Ms Bhutto planned to give to the Americans and to the press the day she was killed.”
This comes as absolutely no surprise. The question now is, if the PPP has the report in its possession, will it still release it, or is it now only valuable in the context of laying blame at the ISI and Musharraf’s door? If the report is accurate, and legitimate, then it should be released, but the objective of it should not, nor should it ever have been, to gift to foreign interests that were backing Ms. Bhutto. The people of Pakistan should be the report’s foremost recipients, being that its contents would have far greater implications on their lives than on those of foreign statesmen.
With such information coming to light, each layer of the onion that was the game that Ms. Bhutto was playing with regards to foreign interventionism becomes more apparent. And while the allegations that the report professes are extremely serious, the fact that Ms. Bhutto was relying on foreign interests with regards to the actions of the country’s military establishment should be seen for what it was – not a defense of true Pakistani democracy, but self centered efforts to placate such interests to secure power. And in saying that, it should not be overlooked that those who aid in the ascension of a political figure gain political capital themselves that they can later cash in to further their own objectives.
Again, that reality speaks to the betrayal of the people of Pakistan and those that risked their lives in supporting Ms. Bhutto.
There is absolutely no arguing the fact that the ISI has extreme political influence and functions as a ghost government in many ways, just as there is no denying the fact that theirs is a game that is also steeped in complexities, deceits, and self preservation. But this situation ultimately places the people of Pakistan, rather ironically, on the outside looking in. Between a government that is little more than a representation of the military establishment and a supposed democratic saviour that was, in many ways, a foreign proxy, the people of Pakistan are left courting falsehoods, insecurities, and fear – not the real possibility of true democratic salvation.
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Not that I am glad she’s dead or anything, but it seems to me that considering that Bhutto could have well made it into a 3rd term as Prime Minister it may be in Pakistan’s best interest that she isn’t running. If this is in fact true, that she was going to tattle on the Pakistani government to the US like someone telling the headmaster that there are girls smoking in the bathroom, then the way that the US would have chosen to handle that information would have had a huge impact on the way people behave on the ground. Right now her popularity was due to the fact that people thought she would help to remove the Pakistani people out from under the thumb of the Americans, and make the country more independent. However, it would have become evident fairly quickly that one puppet was just replaced with another, and the so-called peace that may have resulted from a democratic election, would have collapsed in short order. Unfortunately Nawaz Sharif is no better, and her son and husband would be even worse. I sort of feel like we are facing the same problems in Pakistan that we are in America. All of our choices suck.
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Well put.
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If the report actually exisits then it should be released immediately. Perhaps the UN could provide an objective perspective to the contents. Then let the people of Pakistan decide.
Until the report sees the light of day I remain skeptical that it contains what we have heard it does.
It’s hard to believe anything coming out of Pakistan right now.
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It is easy to say that all of the choices suck, but it would suck worse to be one of the choices and have millions of people think that you suck. So many criticize, but so few have the strength to stand up for what they believe is good or for that matter even to behave in a manner that they know to be good. Many do not even have the strength to back away from an argument that they know is not for the good. So many complain about things of no importance and so many don’t care about things of importance. Human beings must look inwards as to how to make their life and the lives of those they touch better as no one or thing will ever fix the lives of the masses without the effort of the masses. It is silly to look to political guidance to find world peace and not even put full effort towards peace for every member in your own home. At the end of the day if we have peace in our own home- that is what the whole fight is supposed to be for. People themselves create just as much unhappiness as any government. Our life is most often longer than the life of any government. People basically suck.
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Another example of political puppetry in my mind. There are many tools and puppets, and very few are the ones who speak and act of free will.
To me this whole thing is just a confusing guessing game. I’ll admit that I’m often left thoroughly confused after reading news about politics and governments, just as I’m confused after watching the stock reports show on CNN. I believe it’s meant to be confusing so that we pay no attention. Government and money should and can be so simple, but it’s not because we are supposed to get bored of the confusion and watch Entertainment Tonight to hear about the new Brittney Spears sex scandal. I want to be smarter just like everyone else, but that baby’s got back! I’m often left thoroughly mesmerized by Brittney’s sexy dances, but I digress.
They want us confused, and it takes such effort to figure out the truth of their evil mass media confusion system. They confuse us so they can continue to screw us over, fly planes into buildings to start wars for profit, torch over 50 Christians to death in Kenya, put fluoride in our drinking water and poisonous chemicals in our food, and kill people like Benazir in order to get their way.
Those who speak and act of free will and fight for the cause of good are often killed. I bet that at any point now I’ll be seeing some black helicopters over my head for my trouble causing ways. Thankfully by God’s grace I fear absolutely nothing and I know I have victory over death through Jesus Christ.
I’m also thankful for Matt’s website because I know I can trust the information here and I’ve learned a lot. It’s great to see so many people here with the courage to speak out as well, and in various different ways fight the rich evil oppressors who are trying to kill all the poor people (I’m sad to say that I’m one of them right now. I know I have credit card payments but I needed that new FIFA Soccer video game). Maybe in their new world order they’ll let us live if we’ll be their slaves, but we’d better be careful not to get injured, or old for that matter.
The few good people involved in the rule-the-world buSINess need to have courage now more than ever, as do I and many of you just to be able to say these things on this website lest we be taken way by the government spies and labeled as some sort of terrorist. Oh yeah, maybe it was one of those evil Muslim terrorists that killed Benazir? Maybe not.
Who was Benazir Bhutto and what side did she fight and die for?
I can only guess.
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Quoting Daniel Kedes:
Im sorry, but you lost me. i cant tell the sarcasm from the sincerety.
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Myst, it’s cool. I assure you that the good things were totally sincere.
I love George Carlin and Larry David so much that I am constantly using sarcastic humour 90% of the day in my conversations for the purpose of being funny and practising. I aspire to be a successful comedian as well as a professional wrestler, as well as an effective evangelist, as well as a world renowned conspiracy theorist, as well as one of the coolest super hero crime fighters of the future.
I’m a lot like Joseph because my dreams are huge and some of my “brothers” have sold me out and hate me because of my lofty goals. Slavery sucks but I’m breaking out.
I run into anger sometimes when I talk, and I’ve often been told that I’m too preachy and out of touch, too egotistical and overly happy, too dangerous and rebellious, too sexy and physically intimidating (a lot of my girl friend’s boyfriend’s seem to dislike me at first because they’re scared that their girlfriends will dump them in a heartbeat for me, and rightfully so because I’m quite the catch), too charitable and uncomfortably honest, too talkative and conversationally dominant (when will people learn the patience to listen?), my hair is too long and I don’t look acceptable for a Baptist Church, my piercings and tattoos make me appear too rebellious for some strict foolish people, and my faith is too strong and outspoken for the laid back agnostics and atheists.
I’m quite frankly enjoying all these so called “problems” I’m having and I won’t change them for anyone other than God himself, or maybe my future wife if she’s hot enough, ha ha. Ha ha is added to indicate sarcasm. I find lol too mainstream and I’m like Salmon baby! It’s a difficult journey but I know my purpose is honest and true and my destination will be more than worth while.
They wanted to prescribe me ritalin but I never took it. Shannon’s parents were hippies like I am and they never allowed their little boy to take ritalin when all he needed was an outlet. Shannon eventually became a black belt in Karate, the best football player in his high school deemed to be a future NFL great, but he loved music more and he became a talented singer instead. In my mind Shannon had the most incredible and unique voice in music history and was pretty successful with one the most overlooked and underrated bands ever, Blind Melon. May God rest your soul Shannon Hoon, your songs have been such a blessing in my life.
I hope that you are no longer lost Myst, and that my sarcasm is in high contrast to my sincerity.
I also hope I don’t anger anyone else involved with this site or the members. What do you call yourselves, “bloogers”? Good grief, what a horrible sounding word. Batten down the hatch Sarah, the Bloggers are coming! I’m quite paranoid sometimes and I get the feeling that someone is going to respond aggressively towards me (or at the very least be snotty or rude) and say something like “STICK TO THE SUBJECT YOU AWFUL PERSON OF LOW INTELLIGENCE AND INCORRECT BELIEFS ABOUT GOD!!!”
So anyways, yeah, terrible thing about Benazir Bhutto. That sucks so bad, it’s like a terrible level of suck-titude. It sucks when such sucky sorted sins should suck the life out of our suck-tastic days in Suckville. I agree that people really do basically suck, just not me…well, most of the time. I’ll suck a whole lot more when I’m married though, ha ha.
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As I’ve said many times before, I have friends who live there, and I am worried about their welfare. In speaking with their family here in Canada, I’ve listened to insights into the situation that are not entirely in sync with what is portrayed in the mainstream media.
Bhutto apparently bucked her American supporters who helped get her back in.
Bhutto might’ve staged that attack on motorcade back in Oct.
While I don’t consider this to be cutting edge information or shed any light on the situation, when one listens to the portrayal of Bhutto as if she were the Pakistani Princess Di on our media outlets, it seems as though the situation is setting the grounds for a form or retaliation in the form of a phony wrath.
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Daniel you scare me.
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I am with you Pitt. I find Daniel to be a little scary myself.
But for a more on topic response, I am also with you on the whole Pakistan thing. I agree that this elevation of Benazir to Princess Di (brilliant correlation there)status is bizarre. One of the main things I have noticed for many years is the tendency of the media to report on situations overseas through a very bizarre lens. Thats why I rarely tend to trust any information that comes out of the Middle East/South East Asia region, because I have seen how it gets manipulated. And my news coming out from there is probably very similar to yours, which leads me to believe that much like her first 2 times as PM, her main goal was not the betterment of the Pakistani people, but once again to secure power, which she had always been hungry for.
I think Daniel made one statement that is very relevant. (Admitedly its hard to find in the diatribe, but it is there). What was Benazir ACTUALLY fighting for? And who was she wroking for/with?
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Yeah see, I don’t know enough about the situation or the sources I’m reading to commit myself to an opinion.
And correct me if I’m wrong but Musharraf would remain President after the election? The setup of the leadership of the public administration seems similar to the former -Yugoslav in that sense.
As is with many things I suspect there is a lot of grey here. Here’s what I think based on very little reading in comparison to what this subject deserves, and accounts from various friends and acquaintences that are Pakistani.
I think Bhutto’s intentions were good, but she shook hands with the devil in the form of the States, to get back in. She unwisely bucked those backers and she either became obsolete or a threat.
Her husband is a criminal and an idiot and likes the spot light from what I can tell. So he’s milking some of this attention and has done nothing to earn my trust.
Now, I could get soundly thrashed for this but Musharraf wasn’t as bad a leader as so many have painted him to be. I’m not saying he’s better or worse than a newly elected PM in Bhutto and Sharif but he did help quell some of the conflict with India over Kashmier province and did improve the economy.
Though I’m told that India has sat quiet over that situation despite Pakistan’s volatile situation because they might’ve been promised a diplomatic resolution that would turn in their favour once whoever ascends to power.
I guess it would be nice to wrap a lot of this into an easily conceptualized good and evil murder case, because that makes for easier tickers at the base of a CNN or CBC screen. The truth is there are a plethora of liars and self-serving idiots who have very little concern for the Pakistani people or those who call the surrounding area home.
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Lol. Actually Patrick, I was in Pakistan for the initial coup and back and forth since then. I actually think he was a pretty good leader. The cities became safer, and I think as a country we were actually moving forward. I really liked living there, and had the situation remained on that same trajectory I probably would consider moving back. I think he faced a very unique challenge after September 11th, and he really was in a no win situation. His support of the US in its time of need was appropriate, but the subsequent Pakistani/American relationship made many Pakistani’s feel like he was being manipulated, and the person that they thought was a strong leader betrayed them. I dont think that they wanted to “kill all the Americans”, I think had Pakistan remained neutral and pulled a Switzerland that things may have worked out better, but there was no way for that to actualy come to pass. He had to make a choice. I remember, a few days after 9/11 my mother, brother, and I were at the Karachi Airport. We thought it would be really important for us to get out of Pakistan at that time. My mom was from Indiana, and as American looking as you get, and we didn’t know the kind of reaction that the city would have if he chose to support the US. So I am sitting at the airport, waiting for our flight, and Musharraf says that Pakistan backs the US in this matter. And nothing happened. I talked to dad, and he said that though there was some protesting, for the most part, the sympathies were with America.
I think its the betrayal that has everyone up in arms there. I think they want to feel like their leader is looking out for them. I also think he really is trying to, but he is in a complete mess at the moment.
I will have to ask my dad about this, but I think the plan was that if Bhutto won, she was originally willing to consider a coalition government between herself and Musharraf. I think she also backed out of that plan after a few days, but I am not 100% sure on that. I think whoever gets elected will ultimately be the sole master of the domain. I could be wrong about that. I’ll check with dad and get back to you.
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I thought the intent was to have a president and prime minister with the PM having primary leadership responsibilities. I guess all that is moot until an election occurs.
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Technically that has always been how it is, the Prime Minister has all the power. I think the president knits or something. In fact, the presidents have always been so lame, that I cannot remember a single one’s name (isnt that pathetic?)Junejo!! I remembered 1. Anyway, they have never wielded much power at all. I do know that they will probably continue to have a President and Prime Minister, I just am not sure if Musharraf gets to stay on as President once the PM has been elected.
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I thought he did. It’s a military position perhaps? Or more so just a figure head that can remove a PM by pop. vote from the Supreme court. So not like the Balkans at all actually.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, in Urdu وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam meaning “Grand Vizier”, is the Head of Government of Pakistan.
The prime minister is elected by the National Assembly. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote. The National Assembly then elects a Prime Minister for a five year term. Most commonly, the leader of the party or coalition with the most votes becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is responsible for appointing a cabinet. The President has the constitutional reserve power to remove the Prime Minister, through a dissolution of the National Assembly, triggering new elections. The Seventeenth Amendment imposed a check on this power, making it subject to Supreme Court approval or veto.
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Wow. I havent heard that word in years. Wazir-e-Azam. You know, for the first 10 years of my life I didnt even use the word Prime Minister? Thanks for taking me back!
So I talked to my aunt, and she says that Musharraf will stay in his position as president regardless of who is elected as PM (so you were right on that one). I also seemed to remember the president dissolving the National Assembly once or twice while I was living there, though neither of us can remember who the president was at the time. That goes to show you, the presidents have always been such impotent figureheads, one rarely even knows who they are. I thought perhaps I was ignorant, but I think my grandfather (who was a massively influential political journalist in his time) was the only one in our family who ever knew who the president is. The whole dissolution of the assembly thing was something Zia-ul-Haq came up with back in the 80s. And though it is subject to the 17th amendement ( I checked with dad and aunt on this one) that is merely a formality, since the corruption that runs rampant these days makes buying the neccesary approval a matter of ease.
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OK…let’s make something clear.
Specter? Definitely a senior politician in many regards (by that I mean experience).
Kennedy? Where did the idea that he was a “senior” politician come from? I mean, yes, he’s been in Congress for about 12, 13 years (and the General Assembly for about 6 years before that). But experience? Psh. Kennedy’s an American variant of what you call a backbencher. Only reason he’s been in Congress for so long is because:
A. Rhode Island has a weak-ass GOP
B. Nobody dare touch the Kennedy legacy
I mean, for fuck’s sake, Senator Whitehouse has done more than Kennedy has, and he’s only been in office like what, a year now? And people wonder why I left that state…
/I know this seems to have very little to do with Ms. Bhutto, but I think the fact that the American envoy consisted of him representing the House of Representatives undermines the House’s (or, at least, House Dems) credibility on foreign policy and their own intelligence
//Not to mention it would’ve insulted Ms. Bhutto’s intelligence
///And I don’t think there was a Junejo
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My Bad (Meandering a bit here) But there was a Junejo (Specifically Mohammad Khan Junejo), he was actually Prime Minister of Pakistan while Zia-ul-Haq was president. I got my PM and president confused. Though I must admit, now that I remember that Zia was president, suddenly the fact that Benazir is dead, and Musharraf will remain president is reminding me a great deal of when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was overthrown and the government taken over by Zia. (I was like a month old, but I know the story…)
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while i am biased when following some world affairs more then others, those that i dont know much about besides what the mainstream news portray, i’m grateful for posts like these to shed better light on these matters then what is shown in the mainstream media…
what i’ve realized (duh! on my part) is whenever the (western) news portrays and paints international individuals as ever-so-great (or royalty, in this case the Bhutto Di thing), and likewise vice versa, then there is a great deal of info and context left out…that it shouldn’t be trusted, that there is more to the story then what is just said…
sorry for the sorta irrelevancy of this post, but i just wanted to say thanks
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man that dianne thing has caught wheels….i finally write something intelligent and relative and it’s only in a comment stream….
X - your family was in karachi?
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Its’s okay Pitt, I respect you even if it was just in a comment stream.
And yeah, I lived in Karachi for 20 years. I went back every year for about 7 years, and then after 2005 I decided not to go back again.