Musharraf: Bhutto Knew Of Risks

Pakistan President Tells "60 Minutes" His Government Provided All Possible Security

(CBS)  Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, leads a country in crisis ten days after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan is the only Islamic country with nuclear bombs, a place where the influence of the Taliban and al Qaeda is growing.

The Bush administration hopes Musharraf can save his country, but he's the man many Pakistanis blame for its crisis. Was he responsible for the assassination, as many Pakistanis believe? Did his government fail to provide adequate protection? Or did Benazir Bhutto take unnecessary risks?

Lara Logan asked these questions of President Musharraf on Saturday in Islamabad, his first interview since the Bhutto assassination.

---

"I knew that she's under threat. She herself knew that. I told her personally," Musharraf says.

"So it was just a matter of time, do you think?" Logan asks.

"It's your luck," Musharraf replies. "There's no real protection against a suicide bomber really."

Benazir Bhutto's luck ran out on December 27th. She was leaving a campaign rally in her bid to become prime minister for the third time. Bhutto was waving and smiling from her vehicle as excited supporters swarmed around her.

Gunshots rang out. Then, moments later, a suicide bomber blew himself up. In less than two hours, the announcement came that Bhutto was dead.

"That came as an utter shock. It came as an utter shock," Musharraf remembers.

Asked what the first thing was that went through his mind when he heard the news, Musharraf tells Logan, "Well, I knew there was going to be a disturbance in the country and I immediately told the army commander and told everyone to alert everyone, and we must take immediate measures to control any kind of agitation, any kind of emotional outburst."

The moment word of Bhutto's death hit the streets, riots broke out; much of the rage was directed at President Musharraf, her main political rival.

"By the time of her assassination, how would you describe the nature of your relationship with her?" Logan asks.

"Up and down. It wasn't constant - I had asked her not to come before the election, and that we will arrange - then she could come after the election, which she agreed. She had agreed. But then she decided to come all of a sudden. Now that changed a little. It upset me a little," Musharraf says.

"Were you feeling that she was not sticking to her agreements with you, that she wasn't keeping her word?" Logan asks.

"Well, to an extent yes. She used to change the goalposts frequently, depending on the ups and downs here in the country," Musharraf replies.

"It sounds like she was annoying you," Logan remarks.

"On many occasions," Musharraf admits. "But on many other occasions she was positive."

"Did you like her?" Logan asks.

"I think in such a situation it's not your personal like and dislikes. It’s more for the nation that I thought one has to interact with her," Musharraf says.

"When I hear words like that, you know, 'One has to interact with her for the sake of the nation,' sounds to me like you didn’t like her very much," Logan remarks.

"No I wouldn't say I didn’t like her - well, I like or dislike, I didn't have any kind of personal friendship with her," Musharraf says.

The president was upset with Bhutto last October, when, in spite of warnings, she went ahead with a rally in Karachi on her return from self-imposed exile in Dubai. Her convoy was attacked, with two blasts killing close to 150 people.

"Now, in Karachi we knew from Sheikh Mohammad of Dubai, I mean, I got information, intelligence from him. We had our own intelligence. He sent intelligence that there are suicide bombers there targeting her. We told her this," Musharraf explains. "And she knew it. We told her. Don’t do it!"

"And 145 people died," Logan remarks.

"We offered. We said that we can give you a helicopter," Musharraf says. "But she decided to go in that procession. That's what happened."

Asked if he thinks that was a mistake, Musharraf tells Logan, "Yes, indeed. Absolutely."

[alphaa10-2009]

Musharaff, suspect number one in the deaths of many who opposed his undemocratic rule, refused Bhutto the protection she needed and had requested. What security Musharaff did provide was a joke-- in one instance, a single man, armed with a rifle, in front of Bhutto''s platform.

[alphaa10-2009]

The Real WMD Threat-- 2
Both dictators considering becoming a nuclear power, but Musharraf managed to do it-- all the while, under the non-proliferation scrutiny of both the US and Europe.

After 911, congress told Bush to find bin Laden in Afghanistan. Enlisting the aid of Pakistan, Bush pointedly did not demand Pakistan surrender its bombs. Nor did he seriously question Pakistan''''s nuclear transfers to other Islamic states of Iran, Libya, and Malasia. Or even those to North Korea.

Instead, he praised Musharraf, whose regime had engineered the Islamic bomb and fostered nuclear proliferation for some 30 years, and attacked... Iraq.

Clearly, WMDs never were the security issue Bush claimed. By attacking Iraq, which had no bomb of its own, and ignoring Pakistan, which had both bomb and delivery system ready, Bush revealed Iraqi oil reserves were his primary objective.

[alphaa10-2009]

The Real WMD Threat
Another chilling example of security in Pakistan, our "finest ally" in the region. Now, consider the parallels between Saddam and Musharraf...

Both maintained secret police agencies that matched the Gestapo for cruelty. Both aspired to be "populists" in the sense of broad popular support, yet routinely pitted one social class or religious group against another.

While claiming to represent the wishes of their people, both scourged every effort at democratic reforms and hounded political opposition into exile.

Both defied the rule of law, establishing themselves as the ultimate authority. Both were bitter enemies of certain Islamic religious hierarchs, and clashes between the army/secret police and Islamic clergy were frequent and bloody.

One or both dictators were hailed by a president named Bush as staunch allies in the region.
(see The Real WMD Threat-- 2)

[fornicario]

Musharraf and Bush deserve each other. They both are petty tyrants only concerned with themselves, never mind the people they are supposed to be serving.

[rowdytexan2]

OMG! What a crock!

The Bush administration puts out that they INFORMED Ms. Bhutto of the threats! Now Musharraf proclaims it was her OWN fault that she was murdered, because she was informed. Whatta pair!

If this wasn''t so tragic it could be a spin comedy! They expect the world to buy this????

If she was a citizen of her country, and they knew that threats were being made to MURDER her! Where were all the police that should have been surrounding her to protect her from it? THIS IS NUTS!

[runningralph]

Benazir knew she was in danger but she went there anyway. She was moved by the cheering crowds and put put her head through the sunroof and was killed. Brave lady. The others in her vehicle were not hurt seriously because they kept their heads down. Sad that a righteous, fearless lady was struck down by fanatic jihadists. She was not the first nor will she be the last to be murdered by these Islamic maniacs. It was not Musharraf''s fault. It was Al Queada or one of the other jihadist groups.

[feelfree1]

Who cares what this washed up, brutal military dicator, with nukes, has to say?

Blaming the victim is an age old favorite tactic of despots, just as our current leaders are now attempting to blame the people of Iraq, for the misery that we have subjected them to, as a result of our criminal war of aggression.

Heckuva'' job, Pervie!!!

When can we expect the next fake and contrived video from the "American" Zionist poser, Adam Gadahn, (Pearlman)? I could use a good laugh.

Ooga-booga!!!

[fornicario]

Benazir knew she was in danger but she went there anyway. She was moved by the cheering crowds and put put her head through the sunroof and was killed. Brave lady. The others in her vehicle were not hurt seriously because they kept their heads down. Sad that a righteous, fearless lady was struck down by fanatic jihadists. She was not the first nor will she be the last to be murdered by these Islamic maniacs. It was not Musharraf''''s fault. It was Al Queada or one of the other jihadist groups.

Posted by runningralph

So it was her fault that Musharraf did not provide her with adequate security, as she requested? Now, while there is still a long ways to go before proving if Musharraf had a direct hand in her death, but he sure helped things by his lack in progress in routing those same jihadist groups out of his country, as he promised seven years ago. But, like Bush, the only promises he keeps are the ones that benefit him and his cronies, and no one else. And if Bhutto did not return to Pakistan, how could she have run for office? Or was she supposed to just shut up and go away, like Musharraf and others wanted her to?

[gurusavant]

If any of the viewers of ALL the footage from those regions is paying ANY attention, of course it was her fault. The only people allowed in public are men. Watch the footage. There are ONLY men present. Of course no one notices ''insignificant'' details like this. Everyone knows better than some dumb blogger, but again: yes in that part of the world it is her fault for ''believing'' she was allowed in public. But make sure to point your fingers at the current US leaders, and tell them they''re stupid for ''starting an unnecessary war over oil''...yeah, right.

[feelfree1]

From the looks of it, Ms. Bhutto was just another U.S. Corporate stooge, and I am glad that she will not be installed as the new "leader" of Pakistan, though this does not excuse her being executed by the Musharraf regime.

[fornicario]

If any of the viewers of ALL the footage from those regions is paying ANY attention, of course it was her fault. The only people allowed in public are men. Watch the footage. There are ONLY men present. Of course no one notices ''''insignificant'''' details like this. Everyone knows better than some dumb blogger, but again: yes in that part of the world it is her fault for ''''believing'''' she was allowed in public. But make sure to point your fingers at the current US leaders, and tell them they''''re stupid for ''''starting an unnecessary war over oil''''...yeah, right.

Posted by GuRuSaVaNt
So, she should have just shut up and stayed in the kitchen? Such an enlightened point of view from you.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by GuRuSaVaNt at 03:06 PM : Jan 05, 2008

The fact is, there is NOT one woman in this world safer because of this war.

The other fact is, is that it was an illegal war, before Mr. Bush even started it.

The other fact is, that he lied to justify going over their and commiting his illegal war.

So, yes, I blame the incompetence and corruptness of this whole thing on Mr. Bush, even in Pakistan, because once again, he is the instigator of chaos and fear in ANOTHER country! ALL FOR HIS BLANKETY BLANK OIL!

[cdfoxtrot]

The Real WMD Threat
Another chilling example of security in Pakistan, our "finest ally" in the region. Now, consider the parallels between Saddam and Musharraf...

Both maintained secret police agencies that matched the Gestapo for cruelty. Both aspired to be "populists" in the sense of broad popular support, yet routinely pitted one social class or religious group against another.

While claiming to represent the wishes of their people, both scourged every effort at democratic reforms and hounded political opposition into exile.

Both defied the rule of law, establishing themselves as the ultimate authority. Both were bitter enemies of certain Islamic religious hierarchs, and clashes between the army/secret police and Islamic clergy were frequent and bloody.

One or both dictators were hailed by a president named Bush as staunch allies in the region.
(see The Real WMD Threat-- 2)

Posted by alphaa10

Try substituting "Bush" for "Saddam" and you could get pretty much the same outcome. So what''s your point???

[gurusavant]

this is a ''commnent'' section- not the debate forum. if you can''t come up with your own reasoning, don''t quote me (after i made an effort to COMMENT), and demand that i justify my position. it''s a sign of inferior intelligence to weigh your opinion on someones comment instead of formulating your own position.

[feelfree1]

GuRuSaVaNt,

Re: "(after i made an effort to COMMENT)"

Your comment posted. It appears that it did not stand up well to scrutiny.

If you simply wish to share your thoughts, without discussion, perhaps you should creat a Blog. This venue is wide open to discussion, and you will find discussion is quite welcome here, among most contributors.

[fornicario]

Agreed FeelFree. I would rather have my opinions tested through discussion.

[walt1944-2009]

We are now treated to what must be the 25th version of Bhutto''s demise and at this time, does it matter? Both Pakistan and the USSA (you knew the Great Emperor Bush HAD to be involved in this!) are desperately trying to cover their "arses" in this and, as usual, doing a very bad job of it.

Like JFK''s assassination and Roswell, we are never going to learn the REAL truth about what happened but we all know what SHOULD happen.

Musharraf should be overthrown (and probably will be and replaced with Osama Bin Laden in charge of all those nukes!) and the Great Emperor Bush II and Darth Vader Cheney should be arrested and tried in an international court for war crimes and *** up the world!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!

[edward1975-2009]

She was in exile for a reason and to return, invited what ocurred. And it happened, sign of the times, don''t like something blow it up or shoot it. And we here in America may experience this shortly.

[feelfree1]

Edward1975,

Re: "She was in exile for a reason and to return, invited what ocurred."

Good to know. If you are executed upon returning to one of the public bathrooms from which you have been previously "exiled", we will content in knowing that it was justified.

[abdoul_pasha]

She didn`t have to return.

[prinzowhales]

I knew it! I just knew it! She put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger...its as clear as the nose on Musharaff''s face...and then she set off the bomb! Just like those sorry b*stards at the WTC on 9-11-01...They didn''t have to go to work that day!...might as well have committed suicide....just did it to embarrass Bush...

[edward1975-2009]

FeelFree: No one said it was justified, but you gotta admit that it was inevidable. She left in fear of her life and not a thing had changed to make her think it was any safer. Murder is never justified, but you can''t put yourself in a position where you swing the odds huge in that area, and be surprised when it happens.

[eddynewhope]

We started a war in Iraq to "spread freedom and democracy" and at the same time, we support (and arm) this military dictator. Does that strike anyone else as sad and unamerican?

[fibonacci_]

I thought we started a war in Iraq because we thought they had WMD.

[donbl1]

Eddy,

I think that is what the US administration decided. They asked Musharraf to stand for election and resign from the military and then have parliamentary elections. The US also negotiated for Bhutto to return and stand for Parliament and Prime Minister.

[prinzowhales]

Unfortunately, for Ms. Bhutto, the real assassins went after her while the false-flag attackers tried to blow up Musharaff and missed by a mile...Of course, no one suggested that that Anglo-America''s man in Islamabad should hunker down in the face of terrorism.

She named the suspects in an e-mail--and one of them was the high-ranking Mucharaff official who was in charge of her security! Where did the cops go just before the assassination? Why didn''t Musharaff allow the foreign bodyguards into the country that she wanted--HE REFUSED THEM VISAS!!

And, there still remains the issue of the David Frost interview with Ms. Bhutto where she said that OSAMA HAD BEEN MURDERED! Frost didn''t even bat an eye... didn''t even ask a follow-up to that astounding revelation from a internationally respected poltician.

She had also announced that she was going to talk to the Islamists...take a step back from the Neo-Con war against the world.

The only question that remains for Pakistanis today is what bridge would be most suitable to display the last mortal remains of their own little Mussolini...

[donbl1]

Gotta be a conspiracy as these forums do not exist without conspiracies..........

[prinzowhales]

Remember the first absurd story from that putz, Musharaff?...She bumped her little noggin on the sun roof...I do de-klar...Dat bad ole sun roof done killt her dead!...That flew like a penguin for about a week, probably until the gun man had been liquidated and trail cooled...

[feelfree1]

Edward1975,

re: "Murder is never justified, but you can''t put yourself in a position where you swing the odds huge in that area, and be surprised when it happens."

Thank you for the clarification.

[donbl1]

Conspiracy? We don''t know.

All we know is that:

1. There was an explosion close to her.
2. A gunman was near her and the explosion.
3. She was standing through a double door sun roof with a large latch
4. The wound was a head wound.
5. Head shot with a hand gun is a hard shot.
6. The crowd was immense and chaotic
7. US had warned her about public gatherings.

[jegibbons]

President Pervez Musharraf is a no good slimy lying *** but he''s our no good slimy lying ***!

The US will pay dearly for his association.
Benazir Bhutto Rest In Peace.
Musharraf knows who killed Bhutto, even if he didn''t directly order it.

[feelfree1]

donbl1,

Re: "Conspiracy? We don''t know."

Do you suppose that just one person acted alone, in shooting at Bhutto, and in planting, and detonating the bomb?

Do you understand the definition of the word "conspiracy"?

[rohink-2009]

I knew it! I just knew it! She put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger...its as clear as the nose on Musharaff''''s face...and then she set off the bomb! Just like those sorry b*stards at the WTC on 9-11-01...They didn''''t have to go to work that day!...might as well have committed suicide....just did it to embarrass Bush...

Posted by Prinzowhales

~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~

The people that went to work on 9-11 had no reason to believe that planes would be flown into the buildings. Bhutto returned to a country in a state of unrest. She was warned that she would be assasinated. There was already a failed attempt when she first returned. She put herself out there. What good is a bullet and bomb proof vehicle if you stick your head out through the top? She was murdered. She didn''t put the gun to her head and do it herself and those that murdered her are guilty. She was warned. Your comparison is ridiculous.

[feelfree1]

rohink,

Re: "The people that went to work on 9-11 had no reason to believe that planes would be flown into the buildings."

The Israelis that were notified by Odigo ahead of time, had some idea. That''s why they stayed home that day.

www.countercurrents.org/clifford030108.htm

Some of the CIA goons that worked in WTC7 (before it collapsed for no apparent reason), probably knew as well.

[donbl1]

rohink, good objective analysis.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by Edward1975 at 04:28 PM : Jan 05, 2008

Did I read something wrong, or wasn''t she encouraged to go back by US diplomats? Wasn''t she encouraged to go back and help Musharraf unite all the moderates so that together they could fight off the extrimists and Al Queda? Wasn''t that the proposed plan?

[donbl1]

Yup.

[abdoul_pasha]

The government warned her not to comre back. She had to listen to the advice.

[doncooper588]

To say what he is saying is like saying that if you left your keys in your car it''s your fault that you car was stolen. As if human nature is the cause of immorality. :)

[donbl1]

Even in America Presidents and nominees (not what we have now....) are careful about working intimately in large crowds. Too many crazies out there.

[boatdocster]

Yes, that was the US plan - something of a power sharing, perhaps keep the government divided enough that no one person was in control (other than then US pulling the puppet strings).

Clearly that was not the Pervez Musharraf plan...

[mediapreachr]

''Musharraf: Bhutto To Blame For Own Death''
Is that convenient or what?
I give him one more year before we dispose of our latest friend.

[feelfree1]

Heckuva'' job, Pervie!

###

CBS,

I am really looking forward to the next "ooga-booga" performance from B movie actor, and cartoonish Zionist, Adam Gadahn (Pearlman).

Please don''t make me wait all day.

[rowdytexan2]

I just find the whole thing odd for so many reasons.

For one, we all know you can''t trust Bush worth a flip. He tends to lie every time he opens his mouth...(just like this morning stating that our economy has a strong solid base--hogwarsh--we have no base--it''s all hocked to the gills!)

For two, Bush knew or has to know that Musharraf is a rogue, and has no intention of sharing power with anybody. He intends to stay in that palace no matter what ANYBODY says. And is a very dangerous man.

So, why was she encouraged to go back to Pakistan? Why did Musharraf even allow her to come back?

Seems to me like both of these entites wanted her dead! And both of them did not want her to be perceived as having died a martyr!

Seems to me like both of them did not want to upset the protection of Al Queda in Pakistan.

[denn034]

Musharraf is cutting off his nose despite his face. He hurt himself with that comment for sure.

[j-whitman]

Musharraf is in the proverbial "Rock & Hard Spot"

-- Bush doesn''t like him because he hasn''t caught OBL -- His own country doesn''t like him because they say Musharraf''s friendship with the USA brought terrorism to their country.

[j-whitman]

californiar,,,, That''s an insult to the rest of us sociopaths, thank you very much

[kretos-2009]

Hey everyone leave terrorism alone !!! everyone knows that intelligence services behind terrorism !!! dont be fool !!!
forget it and Vote for Expo 2015 !!! for Milano !!!

www.infoexpo2015.com

Musharraf is as guilty as sin in relation to Bhutto''s death.

Bhutto stood a very good chance of winning free elections so he had her taken out.

This way, Musharraf can continue his dictatorship of Pakistan.

While this dictator is in charge, al-Qaeda will always have a safe haven in Pakistan - despite his empty promises.

[j-whitman]

mcdazz,,,, Speaking of boken promises, whatever happened with the Contract with America ???