Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., October 20, 2007 , | | Israel Time: 13:45 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising
Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel
Supporters of Benazir Bhutto climbing down from her open-air truck after a bomb explosion Thursday. (AP)
del.icio.us
Digg It!  new
Last update - 18:56 19/10/2007
Musharraf calls strike on Bhutto convoy 'plot against democracy'
By News Agencies

KARACHI - The deadly attack on former Pakistani Prime Minister Benzair Bhutto's convoy late Thursday is a "conspiracy against democracy," Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Friday.

A suicide bombing in a crowd welcoming Bhutto killed 133 people late Thursday night, shattering her celebratory procession through Pakistan's biggest city after eight years in exile.

Two explosions struck near a truck carrying Bhutto, but police and officials of her party said she was not injured and was hurried to her house.
Advertisement
Bhutto flew home to lead her Pakistan People's Party in January parliamentary elections, drawing cheers from supporters massed in a sea of the party's red, green and black flags. The police chief said 150,000 were in the streets, while other onlookers estimated twice that.

The throngs reflected Bhutto's enduring political clout, but she has made enemies of Islamic militants by taking a pro-U.S. line and negotiating a possible political alliance with Pakistan's military ruler, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

Authorities had urged her to use a helicopter to reduce the risk of attack amid threats from extremists sympathetic to the Taliban and al-Qaida, but she brushed off the concerns.

"I am not scared. I am thinking of my mission, she had told reporters on the plane from Dubai. This is a movement for democracy because we are under threat from extremists and militants."

Last month, she had told CNN she realized she was a target. "Islamic militants, she said, don't believe in women governing nations, so they will try to plot against me, but these are risks that must be taken. I'm prepared to take them."

Leaving the airport, Bhutto refused to use a bulletproof glass cubicle that had been built atop the truck taking her to the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, to give a speech. She squeezed between other party officials along a railing at the front.

Her procession had been creeping toward the center of Karachi for 10 hours, moving at a snail's pace while dancing and cheering supporters swarmed around the truck, when a small explosion erupted near the front of the vehicle. That was quickly followed by a larger blast just feet from the truck, setting an escorting police van on fire and breaking windows in Bhutto's vehicle. Party members on top of the truck scrambled to the ground, one man jumping while others climbed down a ladder or over the side.

"Evidence available at the scene is suggesting it was a suicide bombing and...exploded near police vehicles destroying the two police vans escorting Benazir Bhutto's truck, police officer Raja Umer Khitab said." He also said several policemen died.

Five hospitals reported a total of 126 dead and 248 more were reported wounded. Bodies lay motionless in the street, under a mural reading Long Live Bhutto on the side of the truck.

People were shouting for help but there was no one to help them out. It smelled like blood and smoke, said AP photographer B.K. Bangash, who was 150 feet from Bhutto's truck when he heard a small blast just before midnight.

The bombs exploded just after the truck crossed a bridge about halfway from the airport to the tomb.

Pools of blood, broken glass, tires, motorcycles and bits of clothing littered the ground. Men carried the injured away from burning cars. One bystander came upon a body, checked for signs of life, and moved on.

Some of the injured were rushed on stretchers into a hospital emergency room, and others were carried by rescuers in their arms. Many of the wounded were covered in blood, and some had their clothes ripped off.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was shocked by the blast, his office said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns this terrorist attack and expresses condolences to the families of the victims. He trusts that all political forces will act together to strengthen national unity," it said.

"The United States condemned the violent attack in Pakistan and mourns the loss of innocent life there," said Gordon Johndroe, foreign affairs spokesman for President George W. Bush. "Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process."

Richard Haass, president of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, said the attack reveals one of the fundamental realities of Pakistan today is that the government is not in total control of the country.

He said he did not think Musharraf would declare a state of emergency, noting that more serious challenges to state power have occurred recently, like the standoff between militants and police at Islamabad's Red Mosque.

Germany on Friday condemned the attack as an attempt to destroy democracy in the Asian nation. "The brutality of this insidious act fills us with horror. It had the completely unjustified intention of destroying democracy in Pakistan," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

India added its voice to international condemnation of the bombings. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Navtej Sarna said "it is reprehensible that senior political figures are targeted in this way with such loss of innocent life."

The NATO alliance on Friday also condemned the Kararchi incident, with the organization's secretary general telling reporters that "NATO condemns in the strongest terms this horrible attack which took place in Karachi last night. The people of Pakistan, they have the right to democratically decide about their future and about their leadership."

Iran's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the attack, saying that Iran supports constant security and stability in all its neighboring states, including Pakistan.

The bloodshed marred what had been a jubilant day for Bhutto. She received a rapturous welcome from tens of thousands of supporters, many craning from tree branches and foot bridges to glimpse her return.

The 54-year-old politician wept for joy.

"I feel very, very emotional coming back to my country," Bhutto told AP Television News at the airport, after passing under a Quran held over her head as she got off the plane.

"I dreamt of this day for so many months, and years. I counted the hours, the minutes and the seconds just to see this land, sky and grass. I'm so emotionally overwhelmed," she said, dressed in green with a white head scarf to match the national flag of Pakistan.

Bhutto had paved her route back to Pakistan through negotiations with Musharraf, a longtime political rival whose rule she has often condemned but whose proclaimed mission to defeat Islamic extremism she shares.

Their talks yielded an amnesty covering the corruption charges that made Bhutto leave Pakistan, and could lead to them forming a political alliance seeking to unite moderates in January parliamentary elections for a fight against militants allied with al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Musharraf had urged Bhutto to delay her return because of political uncertainty in Pakistan, including a pending court challenge to his controversial presidential election victory this month.

The Supreme Court will rule soon on whether he was eligible to compete in the vote by the nation's lawmakers, since he also holds the post of army chief. If he is confirmed for a new five-year presidential term, Musharraf has promised to quit the military and restore civilian rule - a step critics say he should have taken earlier.

Bhutto said there was still a long way to go in political reconciliation with Musharraf, but added that she expected the court to rule in his favor. If the court did not stop his election, it's unlikely to stop the result of that election, she said.

After flying in, Bhutto declared she returned to fight for democracy and to help Pakistan shake off its reputation as a hotbed of international terrorism.

"That's not the real image of Pakistan. The people that you see outside are the real image of Pakistan. These are the decent and hardworking middle-classes and working classes of Pakistan who want to be empowered so they can build a moderate, modern nation," she said.

Bhutto became leader of the Pakistan People's Party more than two decades ago after the military's 1979 execution of its founder, her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a populist prime minister still exalted by many Pakistanis as the finest leader in the country's 60-year history.

She served twice as the democratically elected primer minister between 1988 and 1996 - the first female premier in the Muslim world - but both governments fell amid allegations of corruption and misrule. After Musharraf seized power, she was charged with illegally amassing properties and bank accounts overseas while in power and she left Pakistan.


Related articles:

  • Pakistan rejects U.S. spy chief's charge it harbors Qaida leaders
  • Pakistan's Musharraf defends talks with Israel
  • Israeli held in U.S. over nuclear parts sales to Pakistan


    Today in Haaretz:

  • Olmert visits Russia for talks on Iran's nuclear program
  • Israel refuses to recognize Greek Orthodox patriarch amid battle over J'lem property
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us
    Hip Hop Rabbi
    Marc Schneier is on a mission to improve Jewish-Muslim relations.
    Man in a trap
    Olmert has a mandate from his people, but it will not help him in light of his moral weakness
      1.   Religion of peace strikes again 01:18  |  SystemF 19/10/07
      2.   Must be the occupation 01:31  |  Slibovitz 19/10/07
      3.   GEE,BHUTO IS FIGHTING ISLAMISTS BETTER THAN US AND ISRAEL.CHEERS) 01:36  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 19/10/07
      4.   And don`t forget Israel is the "root of all the problems" 01:44  |  Absolute Sweden 19/10/07
      5.   Al Qaeda`s approach to winning the hearts and minds 01:57  |  Murray of Montreal 19/10/07
      6.   Beautiful Benazir 02:02  |  Joshua 19/10/07
      7.   It`s not the occupation 02:42  |  Polybios 19/10/07
      8.   Just a typical day in the muslim world 03:00  |  jack korshak 19/10/07
      9.   don`t worry! be happy! Islam loves you 03:15  |  Richard S 19/10/07
      10.   Bhutto and the Land of the dark forces 03:28  |  Brod 19/10/07
      11.   I Was Considering Switching To Islam But... 04:26  |  Yosemite 19/10/07
      12.   Pakistan 04:27  |  avrumiye 19/10/07
      13.   Who? 04:39  |  Mark Lincoln 19/10/07
      14.   I have faith in dutch & ballistic to blame Isreal 04:42  |  Adrian de Klerk 19/10/07
      15.   BENAZIR BHUTTO 05:01  |  MOHD WAQAR 19/10/07
      16.   Islam drives its followers insane, as if any more proof is needed 05:01  |  Genuine Tosefta 19/10/07
      17.   BENAZIR PEOPLE LEADER 05:02  |  MOHD WAQAR 19/10/07
      18.   Indrajaya You Can`t Possibly... 05:11  |  Yosemite 19/10/07
      19.   Calling out the anti-Semites 05:12  |  Carlo 19/10/07
      20.   India got it right under Ghandi 05:13  |  Avrum 19/10/07
      21.   Nr 4 Absolute sweden, you are an Absolute hater 05:14  |  cristo 19/10/07
      22.   The Peace of Islam 05:14  |  Angela 19/10/07
      23.   blame Israel 06:31  |  judith 19/10/07
      24.   Worse than I expected 06:56  |  Colin Wright 19/10/07
      25.   re #20 `India got it right under Gandhi` 06:58  |  Colin Wright 19/10/07
      26.   re #14 `I have faith in dutch & ballistic to blame Isreal` 07:03  |  Colin Wright 19/10/07
      27.   ANOTHER day another sucide bombingWhere can this be blame shifted 07:27  |  PETER S.M. 19/10/07
      28.   this attack should make all countries think 07:39  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 19/10/07
      29.   Where is JACKAL the shouting loudmouth? 08:13  |  PETER S.M. 19/10/07
      30.   Religion of peace strikes again 08:53  |  Allon 19/10/07
      31.   INDRARAT disappeared for a week from this forum & back 2 days ago 09:17  |  Genuine Tosefta 19/10/07
      32.   MOHD WAQAR you are a very brave man 09:24  |  Genuine Tosefta 19/10/07
      33.   Mark Lincoln #13 09:28  |  S 19/10/07
      34.   126 killed in their peace procession in Pakistan 09:30  |  Yohan Dahal 19/10/07
      35.   I really want to believe Islam is ... 09:39  |  Billy Joe 19/10/07
      36.   Who? Not the Jews this time, so no fuss 10:03  |  Israeli 19/10/07
      37.   CPK why should it? 11:17  |  sh 19/10/07
      38.   What a nice opportunity... 11:24  |  Anne 19/10/07
      39.   racism with abandon 11:27  |  Said 19/10/07
      40.   #39 Said 11:52  |  SystemF 19/10/07
      41.   Said - Why Do You Allow The Radical Islamists to Take Over? 12:32  |  Jane 19/10/07
      42.   Said 13:07  |  S 19/10/07
      43.   How droll 13:24  |  Mark Lincoln 19/10/07
      44.   The pointing of fingers 13:28  |  Mark Lincoln 19/10/07
      45.   " Plot against democracy" 13:30  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/10/07
      46.   Bhutto, "is not scared" 14:27  |  FOX 19/10/07
      47.   Genuine T. #31 is the Jackal indrajaya? 14:39  |  FOX 19/10/07
      48.   This is "peace" in the Moslem style:133 blown up! Watch and learn 14:40  |  Hard Talk 19/10/07
      49.   Swiss Dino, on democracy 14:47  |  FOX 19/10/07
      50.   Said, disingenuous #39 14:57  |  FOX 19/10/07
      51.   Billy Joe #35 Jow sabidi bah? 15:03  |  FOX 19/10/07
      52.   Remember People, these lunatics have A Bombs 15:11  |  FOX 19/10/07
      53.   Boom goes Karachi, Boom Mumbai... 15:19  |  FOX 19/10/07
      54.   Violence is abhorrent for political statements 15:27  |  The Equalizer 19/10/07
      55.   Gloating Jerks 16:08  |  Sol 19/10/07
      56.   it`s time for islam show 16:19  |  scanadu 19/10/07
      57.   Musharraf tried to kill Bhutto 16:37  |  Adam 19/10/07
      58.   my condolences 16:44  |  alan 19/10/07
      59.   The Arab world needs dictators 16:47  |  dovale 19/10/07
      60.   # 49 FOX 17:13  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/10/07
      61.   # 49 FOX, by the way...... 17:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/10/07
      62.   Gloating Jerks vs. Stupid Jerk #55 Sol 17:42  |  FOX 19/10/07
      63.   Dino correct #60 17:47  |  FOX 19/10/07
      64.   This is the way of Islam 17:58  |  Michael 19/10/07
      65.   Mark Licoln and anyone who cares about democracy 18:09  |  Polybios 19/10/07
      66.   Said #39 - Be specific 18:37  |  Polybios 19/10/07
      67.   Terrorism is everyones problem 19:00  |  Avi 19/10/07
      68.   We should all unite against terrorism (Arab,Jew,Christian.....) 19:11  |  Avi 19/10/07
      69.   I am with you Yohan Dahal 100% 19:25  |  Avi 19/10/07
      70.   Salaam Said 19:55  |  Daniel 19/10/07
      71.   Swiss Dino 20:47  |  Polybios 19/10/07
      72.   #62 Fox 21:37  |  Sol 19/10/07
      73.   #68 Avi 21:39  |  Sol 19/10/07
      74.   Do you remember? 22:15  |  Murray of Montreal 19/10/07
      75.   Are there any decent Moslems,Mullahs, Imams to condemn terrorism? 23:16  |  HardTalk 19/10/07
      76.   # 71 Polybios 23:17  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/10/07
      77.   She knew a serious attempt would be made 23:43  |  Chick 19/10/07
      78.   #75 00:59  |  sue 20/10/07
      79.   #77 CHICK: Pakistan and Afghanistan are practically one 01:21  |  HT 20/10/07
      80.   hannah and friends 01:59  |  danny efrat 20/10/07
      81.   Pot calls kettle "black" 03:38  |  Gordon 20/10/07
      82.   Polybios - I ran a campaign in Coral Gables 04:39  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/07
      83.   Sol, I did not give out candies #72 12:25  |  FOX 20/10/07
      84.   Violence in the eyes of Scholars 12:56  |  Brod 20/10/07
      85.   Alexis de Tocqueville`s view on this 13:06  |  Brod 20/10/07
      86.   Dino #71 Well written Post 13:10  |  FOX 20/10/07
      87.   Dino re #71 part 2 13:15  |  FOX 20/10/07
      88.   Mark "Dumbya" Lincoln 13:23  |  FOX 20/10/07
      89.   Mark "Dumbya" Lincoln, the real issue 13:29  |  FOX 20/10/07
     Today Online
    Israel rejects UN envoy's bid to open talks on Shaba Farms
    Responses: 357
    Aluf Benn: Iran nuclear threat seems far more frightening from Israel
    Responses: 172
    President Peres calls for more inclusive definition of Judaism
    Responses: 89
    FM Livni condemns Belarusian President for anti-Semitic jibe
    Responses: 96
    Firillas: On Armenia, what can Turkey learn from German reaction to Holocaust
    Responses: 55
    Bar'el: Some Israeli captives are more equal than others
    Responses: 20
    Rosner's Domain
    * Israel's fear: Will Rice put a bridging proposal on the table?
    * WTR: 75% of Americans don't believe in peace process
    * Egypt blames IDF soldiers for arms smuggling to Gaza
    * Guest: Should the Saudis attend Annapolis?


    More Headlines
    08:01 Report: Israeli mole took pictures of Syrian nuclear facility
    13:31 Two killed in clashes between Hamas, Fatah-linked Gaza clan
    12:14 Court gives war panel 10 days to justify lack of personal findings
    12:23 Iran: Top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has resigned
    10:37 Nazi vase surrendered to authorities after public plea
    10:44 Sarkozy to tell Olmert: Now is the time for peace with Palestinians
    08:19 UN to act against interpreter who said Syria has 'nuclear' facility
    20:12 Hezbollah slams U.S. call for 'partnership' with Lebanon army
    21:31 Eight-time world surfing champion in Israel to promote peace
    23:04 Egypt arrests 18 Eritreans planning to sneak into Israel
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    learn Hebrew online
    with israel's best teachers. Sign up for a trial lesson today
    Invest in Macedonia
    New Business Heaven in Europe
    Long-term Israel programs
    MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
    The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
    Dead Sea Salt
    Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
    Israeli History Documentaries.
    Own a piece of Israel?s treasured past.
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt.
    Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
    Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !
    Home| TV| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved