Jump to content

Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Veracon.net (talk | contribs) at 17:09, 27 December 2007 (→International reaction: Grammar). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Benazir Bhutto assassination
File:Bbcnews24 bhuttokilled.jpg
BBC’s coverage on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. (This was the moment before she was shot in the car.)
LocationRawalpindi, Pakistan[1]
DateDecember 27, 2007
TargetBenazir Bhutto
Attack type
Suicide attack,[1] Gun shooting, Bombing[2]
Deaths21 - 22 (No official number released yet)[3][4]

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto, former Pakistani prime minister and leader of opposition party Pakistan People's Party, took place on 27 December 2007 when a gunman fired and a suicide bomb was detonated as Bhutto was leaving a rally in the Liaquat National Bagh in Rawalpindi. She was campaigning ahead of elections due in January 2008.[1][4][5] She was declared dead at 18:16 local time (13:16 GMT), after being taken to Rawalpindi General Hospital - it is still unclear as to whether or not Bhutto died due to bullet wounds or of bomb shrapnel.[4][5][6] At least 21 people were confirmed dead in the aftermath; other conflicting reports indicate 22 bodies found at the scene.[6] This attack was the second attempt on her life in recent months.[5]

Background

Bhutto had opted for self-exile while her cases remained pending in the Pakistani and foreign courts.[7] After eight years in exile in Dubai and London, Bhutto returned to Karachi on 18 October 2007 to prepare for the 2008 national elections, allowed by a possible power-sharing deal with President Pervez Musharraf.[8][5] She escaped an attack during this homecoming, but the attack left 134 people killed and hundreds wounded.[9]

Earlier assassination attempts

Main article: 2007 Karachi bombing

En route to a rally in Karachi on 18 October 2007, two explosions occurred shortly after Bhutto had landed and left Jinnah International Airport. She was not injured but the explosions, later found to be a suicide-bomb attack, killed 136 people and injured at least 450. The dead included at least 50 of the security guards from her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) who had formed a human chain around her truck to keep potential bombers away, as well as 6 police officers. A number of senior officials were injured. Bhutto was escorted unharmed from the scene.[10]

Details

Benazir Bhutto had just addressed a rally of PPP supporters in the city of Rawalpindi when the rally was rocked by a blast. Bhutto was said to have been leaving the rally when the attack occurred.[1][5] Current police reports state that one or more assassins fired at Bhutto's SUV just as she was about to drive off after the rally; when the assassin(s) appeared to have failed, the suicide bomber detonated next to her vehicle.[4] It is currently unclear whether her death was caused by the blast itself or by shots fired by the assassins, or if the wounds to her head and neck were caused by bomb shrapnel.[6][11][12]

Rehman Malik, a security adviser for the Party, suggested that the killer opened fire as she left the rally, hitting her in the neck and chest, before detonating. He blamed the government for failing to protect Bhutto.[12] Javed Cheema, an interior ministry spokesman, also stated that her injuries could have been caused by pellets packed in the bomb which acted as shrapnel.[12]

She was taken unconscious to the Rawalpindi General Hospital. Although PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar initially said that Bhutto was safe, she was declared dead at 18:16 local time (13:16 GMT).[5] 16-20 other people were killed in the attack, with bodies thrown across the park Liaquat National Bagh where Bhutto had attended the rally.[4][6]

Aftermath

After Bhutto's death, supporters wept and broke the hospital's glass doors, threw stones at cars, and reportedly chanted "Dog, Musharraf, dog" outside the hospital, referring to President Musharraf.[4][5] Others attacked police, burned election campaign posters and tires.[11] Some opposition groups said that the assassination could lead to civil war, and other commentators said that the upcoming elections will likely be postponed.[13]

Demonstrations were widespread in Pakistan with the police using tear gas and batons to break up angry demonstrations in Peshawar.[5] Some protesters torched the billboards of Pervez Musharraf, firing in the air and screaming. Protests in Multan also had protesters burning tires and blocking traffic. Similar scenes were witnessed in Karachi, Bhutto's hometown.[14] Police in Sindh have been put on red alert.[15]

Economic

The world price of oil and gold rose with news of the assassination,[16] while U.S. stocks futures opened lower.[17] On the same day, the Euro had reached an all-time high against the pound and advanced versus the dollar and yen.[18]

Reactions

Reaction in Pakistan

Pakistan opposition leader Nawaz Sharif was the first mainstream political leader to reach the hospital and express his solidarity with Bhutto's family and political workers, saying that he would "fight your [Bhutto's] war from now on" and that he shared the grief of "the entire nation".[19] Despite extreme political enmity between two leaders during 1990s, both vowed to introduce politics of tolerance before returning from exile and had earlier signed the Charter of Democracy. After signing the charter, they said that they would work for an end to the rule of General Musharraf.[20] Incidently, earlier in the day, Nawaz Sharif's political meet had also been shot at, resulting in the death of four people. [21]

PPP president Javaid Manzoor said "We [Bhutto's supporters] are shocked. We are stunned. Every single one of us is mourning the loss of our leader," also stating that he believed that the next election, scheduled for January 8 would be canceled.[4] According to state television, Musharraf held an emergency cabinet meeting after he received word of the blast; he addressed the nation, imploring its people to stay calm "so that the evil designs of terrorists can be defeated."

Pakistani police implored citizens to stay at home; increasing violence and rioting is expected as a direct effect of Bhutto's death.[6]

International reaction

  •  Denmark - Per Stig Møller, the Danish foreign minister, said: "It is terrible and a tragedy for Pakistani society, because there was a real hope of reforms and democratization conjoined with her return to Pakistan and with the election on January 8. It is also an attack against that process, as the people who do this (the assassination) do not want reforms and democracy."[22]
  •  France - President of France Nicolas Sarkozy condemn the odious act with the greatest severity. He added terrorism and violence have no place in the democratic debate and in the combat of ideas and programmes. More than ever it is necessary for the Pakistani legislative elections to take place in conditions of pluralism, transparency and security. Besides,Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner referred to the assassination as a "odious act" and reaffirmed France's commitment to ensuring stability within Pakistan in the future.[23]
  •  India - A spokesman for the Prime Minister of India said, "In her death the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country."[24]
  •  Iran - Minister of Foreign Affairs spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said, "We hope the Pakistani government will identify and bring to justice those behind such a criminal act and restore tranquility to the country."[6]
  •  Italy - Romano Prodi, the Italian prime minister, said: "I express my sadness and that of the whole [Italian] government following the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto, a woman who wanted to fight her battle until the end with just one weapon - that of dialogue and political discussion."[25]
  •  Philippines - Malacañang condemned the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, saying "such act of violence has no place in a civilized society like ours." [26]
  •  Russia - Russia's foreign ministry condemned the attack, offered condolences to Ms Bhutto's family and said it hoped the Pakistani leadership would "manage to take necessary steps to ensure stability in the country."[5]
  •  South Africa - Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesman for South African Department of Foreign Affairs, said: "Clearly South Africa is saddened by the news of the murder of Benazir Bhutto and condemns unequivocally this outrageous act of violence ... We call on the Pakistani people do everything in their power, to leave no stone unturned to find the perpetrators of this dastardly act."[25]
  •  Sweden - Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt said in a press conference about an hour after the murder that he felt both disgusted and angry for what had happened, and also worried over the further consequences.[27]
  •  United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband released a statement saying, "In targeting Benazir Bhutto, extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan. They cannot and must not succeed. This is a time for restraint but also unity," also stating that he was "deeply shocked."[5][28] The leader of the opposition David Cameron has described Bhutto's killing as "an appalling act of terrorism."[29]
  •  United Nations - The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting regarding the situation in Pakistan.[5][30]
  •  United States - Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman of the US Department of State condemned the bombing at the Bhutto rally but did not comment on her death because it was not yet confirmed, saying that "The attack shows that there are still those in Pakistan trying to undermine reconciliation and democratic development in Pakistan."[5][31] Shortly thereafter, U.S. President George W. Bush strongly condemned the assassination, urging her killers to be brought to justice.[32][33] He condemned the assassination as a "cowardly act by murderous extremists," and encouraged Pakistan to "honor Benazir Bhutto's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life."[6]
  •  Vatican City - Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the attack shows how extremely difficult it is to pacify a nation so wrought by violence. He also said they would share the sadness of the Pakistani population.[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Bhutto 'wounded in suicide blast'". BBC. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  2. ^ Moore, Matthew (2007-12-27). "Benazir Bhutto killed in gun and bomb attack". Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack; supporters in uproar across Pakistan". The Canadian Press. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Bhutto killed in suicide attack". Al Jazeera. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Benazir Bhutto killed in attack". BBC. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "World leaders condemn Bhutto assassination". CNN. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  7. ^ Talpur, Parveen (2007-12-10). "Pakistan's fragile future". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  8. ^ "Supporters flock to Karachi for Bhutto's return". CBC News. 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  9. ^ Gall, Carlotta (2007-10-19). "Bomb Attack Kills Scores in Pakistan as Bhutto Returns". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Bowley, Graham (2007-10-20). "After Bombing, Bhutto Assails Officials' Ties". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  11. ^ a b Jan, Sadaqat (2007-12-27). "Pakistan's Bhutto assassinated at rally". Assosiated Press. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2007-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c Hussain, Zahid (2007-12-27). "Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide bombing". The Times. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  13. ^ "Bhutto killing 'could start civil war'". Yorkshire Post. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  14. ^ "Pakistan police tear gas protest". The Age. 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  15. ^ "Pakistan's Bhutto assassinated in gun, bomb attack". Reuters. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  16. ^ Merriman, Jane (2007-12-27). "Oil moves higher with gold after Bhutto killing". Reuters. EarthTimes.org. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  17. ^ "U.S. stocks head for lower open". Thomson Financial. CNN. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  18. ^ "Euro Hits All-Time High Against Sterling, Up Versus Dollar And Yen [EUR/USD]". RTT News. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  19. ^ "Sharif vows to fight Bhutto's 'war'". IOL. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  20. ^ "'Democracy charter' for Pakistan". BBC. 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  21. ^ "'Four dead, several hurt in Pakistan election violence". Dawn. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  22. ^ "Danish foreign minister condemns attack (in danish)". NYHederne. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  23. ^ "L'attentant contre Bhutto vivement condamné". Le Figaro. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  24. ^ Denyer, Simon (2007-12-27). "India calls Bhutto death terrible blow to democracy". Reuters. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  25. ^ a b "Global outrage over assassination". Al Jazeera. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  26. ^ "RP condemns Bhutto killing". Inquirer.net. 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  27. ^ Hall, Thomas (2007-12-27). "Bildt: "Avsky och bestörtning"". DN.se. Retrieved 2007-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Croft, Adrian (2007-12-27). "UK urges restraint after Bhutto killing". Reuters. AlertNet. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  29. ^ "Miliband condemns Bhutto killing". BBC. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  30. ^ "U.N. council to consult on Bhutto killing". Reuters. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  31. ^ "Bhutto assassination throws wrench into U.S. policy on Pakistan". The Canadian Press. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  32. ^ "Bush condemns those killed Pakistan's Bhutto". Reuters. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  33. ^ "President and Mrs. Bush Extend Condolences Regarding Assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Condemns Violence". The White House. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  34. ^ "Reactions to Bhutto assassination". BBC. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
Wikinews has related news:
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Assassination_of_Benazir_Bhutto&oldid=180446859"