Remembering Bhutto

U.S. and world leaders react to the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

B.K.Bangash / AP

A gravely injured man is taken from the scene of the attack that took the life of Bhutto and at least 22 supporters

Newsweek Web Exclusive

Dec 27, 2007

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World leaders saluted the sacrifice of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated on Thursday in Rawalpindi, near the capital city, Islamabad. The suicide attack at a campaign rally apparently killed at least 22 others.

"She sacrificed her life for the people of Pakistan and the people of this region," said AfghanistanPresident Hamid Karzai, who had met with Bhutto earlier Thursday afternoon.

Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf,called for three days of mourning in Pakistan, which has elections scheduled for Jan. 8. Returning from exile just two months ago, Bhutto was running for a third term.

From his ranch in Crawford, Texas, President George W. Bushsaid, "The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy. Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice."

British Foreign Secretary David Milibandsaid Bhutto "showed in her words and actions a deep commitment to her country. She knew the risks of her return to campaign but was convinced that her country needed her. This is a time for restraint but also unity. All those committed to a stable future for Pakistan will condemn without qualification all violence perpetrated against innocent people. In targeting Benazir Bhutto extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan. They cannot and must not succeed."

In neighboring India, which has a long rivalry with Pakistan and its own history of assassinations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singhsaid, "I was deeply shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination. In her death, the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country."

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Posted By: bbwbedazzler @ 01/03/2008 3:29:03 PM

I am sorry but i see no honor in martrydom, she would have served her country better if she has stayed alive to further her casue, some risk is good, outlandish rish is just plain stupid..... she is much more of an asset to her country alive then as some dead and remembered... don't get me wrong i am not blaming her for her own death but come on lets me sensible, hopefully we will see her message rise up in someone else male or female....
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Posted By: Amill @ 01/01/2008 6:42:58 AM

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto could not have come at a more auspicious time in history. She truly was a fearless, passionate force for change. Her death was not the end of her story, however. She has heralded the entry of a new era of female leadership in our country and our world. As history will have shown us, paradigm shifts often come with the laying down of one's own life and personal ego, the shedding of one's own blood. Long live the heart and soul and spirit of Benazir Bhutto. May she be an eternal inspiration to all women who seek to give back to the world a piece of its lost heart. Truly what passion and courage that takes! One might ask Mrs. Hillary Clinton or Maya Angelou, who believes in Mrs.Clinton, about female courage in times of great change. I think both women could teach us all something about that.
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Posted By: aboo @ 12/31/2007 12:36:59 AM

Had the world put in as much effort in bringing down Osama Laden as it had done in vanquishing Adolf Hitler, old Ossy would had long been hanged, drawn and quartered. The fact that the old goat has escaped justice for so long id due to the fact that Musharraf's military is hiding and protecting him