UN probe of Bhutto murder rejected

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7184534.stm

Musharraf rejects UN Bhutto probe

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out a United Nations inquiry into the assassination of the opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto.

He told the French paper Le Figaro that Pakistan had its own institutions to investigate the killing and that they were being assisted by the UK.

The president said he hoped the results of the investigation would be published before February's parliamentary vote. ¹

Ms Bhutto's son, Bilawal, has repeatedly called for a UN inquiry.

He has said his family and the Pakistan People's Party, of which he is now joint leader with his father, do not believe that a government inquiry into Benazir Bhutto's death has had the "necessary transparency". ²

'Not possible'

In the interview with Le Figaro on Friday, Mr Musharraf rejected the demands for a UN inquiry, saying Pakistan should not be compared to Lebanon, where the organisation is investigating the murder of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.

"It is not possible. Is another country involved?" he said. "Pakistan is not Lebanon." ³

The initial findings of the UN inquiry suggested Syria played a role Mr Hariri's assassination - a claim Damascus has denied.

Mr Musharraf said Pakistan had its own institutions to investigate the killing of Benazir Bhutto and that they would receive assistance from British police.

He said there was a campaign by al-Qaeda to undermine Pakistan, but denied the country was about to disintegrate and descend into violence.

"They do not have the capacity to destabilise the country, but their suicide attacks create disorder and dishearten the population," he said.

The president said the delayed parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 February would be held "whatever happens".

"We must defeat the terrorist campaign aimed at derailing the economic and democratic process. We must not play their game," he added.

"That is why elections are necessary."

The parliamentary elections were postponed from 8 January following Ms Bhutto's death in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi on 27 December.

More than 50 people were killed in violent unrest sparked by the assassination.

Notes:

1. Gives him enough time to rig the votes
2. It is notable that Pakistan's investigative transparency was proved by the investigation of 1951/10/16 Liaqat Ali Khan murder. As Robert Payne, I believe Pak Army was heavily involved (as they certainly gained power afterwards)
3. In this case, I'm surprised that he didn't follow a technique used by Zia of blaming India for an act committed by his own (Army/ISI/militants)

Edited January 12, 2008 by CherryXS

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

nice. blame India.

[Lance27 19]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7184534.stm

Musharraf rejects UN Bhutto probe

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out a United Nations inquiry into the assassination of the opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto.

He told the French paper Le Figaro that Pakistan had its own institutions to investigate the killing and that they were being assisted by the UK.

The president said he hoped the results of the investigation would be published before February's parliamentary vote. ¹

Ms Bhutto's son, Bilawal, has repeatedly called for a UN inquiry.

He has said his family and the Pakistan People's Party, of which he is now joint leader with his father, do not believe that a government inquiry into Benazir Bhutto's death has had the "necessary transparency". ²

'Not possible'

In the interview with Le Figaro on Friday, Mr Musharraf rejected the demands for a UN inquiry, saying Pakistan should not be compared to Lebanon, where the organisation is investigating the murder of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.

"It is not possible. Is another country involved?" he said. "Pakistan is not Lebanon." ³

The initial findings of the UN inquiry suggested Syria played a role Mr Hariri's assassination - a claim Damascus has denied.

Mr Musharraf said Pakistan had its own institutions to investigate the killing of Benazir Bhutto and that they would receive assistance from British police.

He said there was a campaign by al-Qaeda to undermine Pakistan, but denied the country was about to disintegrate and descend into violence.

"They do not have the capacity to destabilise the country, but their suicide attacks create disorder and dishearten the population," he said.

The president said the delayed parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 February would be held "whatever happens".

"We must defeat the terrorist campaign aimed at derailing the economic and democratic process. We must not play their game," he added.

"That is why elections are necessary."

The parliamentary elections were postponed from 8 January following Ms Bhutto's death in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi on 27 December.

More than 50 people were killed in violent unrest sparked by the assassination.

Notes:

1. Gives him enough time to rig the votes
2. It is notable that Pakistan's investigative transparency was proved by the investigation of 1951/10/16 Liaqat Ali Khan murder. As Robert Payne, I believe Pak Army was heavily involved (as they certainly gained power afterwards)
3. In this case, I'm surprised that he didn't follow a technique used by Zia of blaming India for an act committed by his own (Army/ISI/militants)

They did it before and no one believed them then. With both countries armed with nukes I don't think even they are that crazy as to accuse a nuclear armed neighbor.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7184534.stm

Musharraf rejects UN Bhutto probe

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out a United Nations inquiry into the assassination of the opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto.

He told the French paper Le Figaro that Pakistan had its own institutions to investigate the killing and that they were being assisted by the UK.

The president said he hoped the results of the investigation would be published before February's parliamentary vote. ¹

Ms Bhutto's son, Bilawal, has repeatedly called for a UN inquiry.

He has said his family and the Pakistan People's Party, of which he is now joint leader with his father, do not believe that a government inquiry into Benazir Bhutto's death has had the "necessary transparency". ²

'Not possible'

In the interview with Le Figaro on Friday, Mr Musharraf rejected the demands for a UN inquiry, saying Pakistan should not be compared to Lebanon, where the organisation is investigating the murder of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.

"It is not possible. Is another country involved?" he said. "Pakistan is not Lebanon." ³

The initial findings of the UN inquiry suggested Syria played a role Mr Hariri's assassination - a claim Damascus has denied.

Mr Musharraf said Pakistan had its own institutions to investigate the killing of Benazir Bhutto and that they would receive assistance from British police.

He said there was a campaign by al-Qaeda to undermine Pakistan, but denied the country was about to disintegrate and descend into violence.

"They do not have the capacity to destabilise the country, but their suicide attacks create disorder and dishearten the population," he said.

The president said the delayed parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 February would be held "whatever happens".

"We must defeat the terrorist campaign aimed at derailing the economic and democratic process. We must not play their game," he added.

"That is why elections are necessary."

The parliamentary elections were postponed from 8 January following Ms Bhutto's death in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi on 27 December.

More than 50 people were killed in violent unrest sparked by the assassination.

Notes:

1. Gives him enough time to rig the votes
2. It is notable that Pakistan's investigative transparency was proved by the investigation of 1951/10/16 Liaqat Ali Khan murder. As Robert Payne, I believe Pak Army was heavily involved (as they certainly gained power afterwards)
3. In this case, I'm surprised that he didn't follow a technique used by Zia of blaming India for an act committed by his own (Army/ISI/militants)

They did it before and no one believed them then. With both countries armed with nukes I don't think even they are that crazy as to accuse a nuclear armed neighbor.

You've heard of "Smiling Buddha" (India's first test 1974/05/18)? It certainly wasn't welcomed by Canada (supplier of CIRUS, from where the Pu²³⁹ was extracted). Zia wasn't in power until 1977.

From 1974-1998, India basically did a "no-confirm-no-deny" policy on whether it had nuclear weapons.

Edited January 13, 2008 by CherryXS