Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., December 30, 2007 Tevet 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 09:27 24/10/2007 The extremists will not prevail By Benazir Bhutto Tags: Pakistan, democracy  I did not come this far in life to be intimidated by suicide bombers. There is a battle raging in Pakistan for the hearts and minds of a new generation. It is a battle for the future of Pakistan as a democratic nation. The new generation will choose moderation or extremism, it will choose education or illiteracy; it will choose dictatorship or democracy; it will choose tolerance or bigotry; and it will choose peace or war. I returned to Pakistan this week to lead the fight for democracy. With the blood of my supporters on the streets and on our clothes, I reaffirm my commitment to these values. I know that the militant forces fear me as their enemy. General Zia-ul-Haq, the extremist dictator of Pakistan in the 1980s, once said that the greatest mistake in his life was not killing me when he had the chance. The battle for the future of the people of Pakistan rages in every village and every city street corner. The crowds that gathered at Karachi Airport came from far and wide, despite the threats, despite the risk it carried. They are the real face of Pakistan, the moderate middle. The future direction of Pakistan should be settled through fair and free elections in Pakistan, scheduled for later this year. The extremists will use everything in their bloody arsenal to strike and obstruct the cause of democracy. They use violence to block the people's freedom of association and expression, to turn them away from our nation's transition to democracy. The attack on me was more than an attack on an individual. It was meant as an attack on all the political forces in Pakistan who want democracy. The attack was on Pakistan itself. It was an attack on the human and political rights of every citizen and on the political process. It was intended to intimidate and blackmail all the political parties in our society. It was a warning to members of civil society. The extremists thrive under dictatorship; they know that moderation and democracy are their undoing. They will stop at nothing to undo both. Advertisement The murderers that killed 140 people in Karachi on October 18 violated the very heart of the Islamic message. Muslim law makes it absolutely clear that unprovoked attacks on unarmed civilians and innocent people, and the destruction of property are prohibited. Their actions are hiraba (war against society). They may hijack airplanes but they cannot hijack the message of Islam. The militants know democracy can save Pakistan from the politics of extremism preached by warlords. They are trying to take over the State of Pakistan by attacking its political process and challenging its law enforcement. They cannot murder the dreams and hopes of the poor people of Pakistan, in democracy for a better future. The international community has condemned the terrorist attacks of October 18 in Karachi, grieved with the families of the dead, prayed for the early recovery of the injured. All our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with those who laid down their lives, or were wounded, and to their families. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. May God rest their souls in eternal peace. The greatest memorial to these brave citizens will be a strong, viable and moderate democratic Pakistan. The writer is former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party. (c) 2007, Benazir Bhutto Bookmark to del.icio.us Santa's helpers Foreign workers hope for citizenship for Christmas. He's ba-ack In a new audio tape Bin Laden vows to free Palestine.   1.   Democracy 09:49  |  Natallie Durson 24/10/07   2.   A difficult choice, either extremists or a dictator! 10:00  |  Roxana from IRAN 24/10/07   3.   PAKISTAN IS MOVING TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION 10:19  |  indrajaya 24/10/07   4.   So ! 10:25  |  Atilla 24/10/07   5.   amen amen amen 10:41  |  Rani Habelgi 24/10/07   6.   Words of hope 10:47  |  Hastaroth 24/10/07   7.   Bhutto returns 11:12  |  A Khokar 24/10/07   8.   Brave lady 11:45  |  SystemF 24/10/07   9.   # 1 Hey Attilla, It would be even easier and more effective 11:52  |  Haham me Bat Yam 24/10/07   10.   GOOD luck.The present situation is intolerable inside and out 11:53  |  PETER S.M. 24/10/07   11.   Stand tall in the face of fear 12:42  |  Revi Patel 24/10/07   12.   Implanting yet another proxy 13:12  |  A Khokar 24/10/07   13.   The bane of America: Bush/Cheney 13:40  |  akiva (zionist) 24/10/07   14.   whats the problem in pakistan? 15:59  |  ravi 24/10/07   15.   return of Mrs. Benazir 17:31  |  khairi janbek 24/10/07   16.   #1more trash from nutullie and the war dead 17:48  |  victor hardman 24/10/07   17.   Suicide bombings show the true face of Islam 19:19  |  Steven 24/10/07   18.   after they.......... 20:42  |  maria 24/10/07   19.   Are suicide "warriors" effective??? 22:00  |  Voice of Reason 24/10/07   20.   Bhutto`s Return 23:28  |  Ben 24/10/07   21.   Good Luck Benazir Bhutto 03:08  |  Rivka 25/10/07   22.   A Discrepancy of Truths in this Article 22:27  |  Archmangle 29/12/07   23.   RE; Suicide bombings show the true face of Islam 22:34  |  archmangle 29/12/07   24.   RE: Are suicide "warriors" effective??? 22:44  |  archmangle@gmail.com 29/12/07   25.   benazir 01:43  |  omar 30/12/07

Today Online 2 Israelis killed, one hurt in W. Bank shooting attack Responses: 541 Benn, Rosner: Israel needs a 'Rice bypass road' to White House Responses: 174 PM to Abbas: Israel will not undermine peace efforts Responses: 114 Akiva Eldar: Peace deal must start with prisoner release Responses: 115 IDF kills former PA premier's bodyguard during W. Bank raid Responses: 98 New version of old defense group guards Jewish farmlands Responses: 57 More Headlines 22:53 Bin Laden vows he will 'expand jihad in Palestine' 01:09 IDF soldiers killed on West Bank hike eulogized for courage 02:15 ANALYSIS/Nipping new W. Bank Jewish terror group in the bud 22:55 PA premier Fayyad says suspects in killings of 2 Israelis caught by PA 22:47 Arab League ministers to meet on Israeli settlement policy 17:28 U.S. court overturns award over W. Bank shooting of yeshiva boy 18:51 Senator sees 'real opportunity' for resuming Syria-Israel talks 23:47 Hamas: Egypt agrees to allow Gazan pilgrims to return through Rafah 20:19 Chemicals used in making explosives caught at West Bank checkpoint 10:34 PM announces intention to change building permits Previous Editions Select Day 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem 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 Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! 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