2/1/08

Militants kidnap four Pakistani soldiers: military
AFP –
The rebels had launched rocket and mortar attacks on a military base near Ladda town from rugged terrain bordering Afghanistan, a security official said. …
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h4VO18xqOSaZKV5oXxvH8Ax9bkOA

Bhutto’s death a blow to ‘war on terror’
Asia Times Online – Kowloon,Hong Kong
One of the NATO strategy games apparently simulated the withdrawal of the troops from Afghanistan that had been cut off from supplies. …
www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JA03Df02.html

More on Pakistan and other notes
karlmarxwasright
…The competing militias in Iraq are now considered an impediment to complete the economic “transformation” and integration of the Middle East, so, a “mopping up” process is taking place. See this recent development regarding the demise of Maliki and the return of Allawi, something I had long ago predicted, that is, Allawi’s return. Allawi is very well connected to the financial world. Maliki is not. Allawi is far more preferable. And, of course, Iraq’s “federalism” and “internationalization” and phoney reconciliation…
www.uruknet.de/?p=39766

Report: Day after Bhutto assassination, US Predator targeted Islamist ideologue
Muriel Kane, Raw Story
In the wake of last week’s assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistan bureau chief of Asia Times is laying responsibility for the killing on a new and more radical splinter group of al-Qaeda. According to journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad, the United States retaliated against the head of that faction immediately following the attack on Bhutto: “This nest of takfiris and their intrigues was on the radar of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the day after Bhutto’s killing Sheikh Essa was targeted by CIA Predator drones in his home in North Waziristan. According to Asia Times Online contacts, he survived, but was seriously wounded. Sheikh Essa had only recently recovered from a stroke which had left him bedridden.” There have been no other press reports of such an attack and no US claims of responsibility…
www.uruknet.de/?p=39754

Pakistan Vote Delayed to February
www.truthout.org/docs_2006/010208C.shtml
Jane Perlez, reporting for The New York Times from Lahore, Pakistan, writes, “Parliamentary elections scheduled for Jan. 8 have been postponed by the government until February, the secretary of the Election Commission said Tuesday.”

Pakistani Troops Kill At Least 25 Militants Near Afghan Border :
Pakistani officials say troops have killed at least 25 militants in fighting near the border with Afghanistan.
www.voanews.com/english/2008-01-02-voa28.cfm?rss=asia
 
Plan to ‘eliminate’ Taliban-linked fighter many in Pakistan see as a scapegoat:
A hunt for the Islamist alleged to have masterminded the assassination of Benazir Bhutto was under way last night, despite widespread suspicion within Pakistan that he is being used as a scapegoat.
www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2233930,00.html
 
Bhutto helped create Taliban :
She was a brave woman, without question, but Bhutto was much to blame for the tinderbox that Pakistan became during her exile in Dubai and London – the toxic military entanglement with the Taliban – having helped to create a monster that not even the sponsoring ISI can control any longer.
www.thestar.com/News/World/article/290372
 
Bhutto succession will split the party, says tribe leader :
The head of the Bhutto tribe, a founder member of the Pakistan People’s Party, has rejected the appointment of Benazir Bhutto’s husband and son to lead the group and predicted that it will split the party.
news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article3300991.ece
 
Pakistan’s Musharraf defends vote, asks British help in Bhutto probe:
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday defended the postponement of elections until February 18 after the killing of Benazir Bhutto, and invited Britain to help probe her death.
snipurl.com/1webh
 
Bhutto ‘was about to spill the beans:
Benazir Bhutto was poised to offer proof that Pakistan’s election commission and shadowy spy agency were seeking to rig an upcoming general election the night she was assassinated, a top aide said.
www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story
.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10485055
 
Bhutto Murder Theories Used as Political Tool:
Al-Qaida, the secret service or a contract killer sent by President Musharraf? A gun shot, bomb shrapnel or a fatal blow to the head? Wild theories about the death of Benazir Bhutto are making the rounds in Pakistan — and are becoming levers of political power.
www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,526141,00.html
 
Special forces on standby over nuclear threat:
US special forces snatch squads are on standby to seize or disable Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in the event of a collapse of government authority or the outbreak of civil war following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
snipurl.com/1webl
 
American, Pakistani officials reject report about US special squad alert :
A United States embassy official on Wednesday dismissed reports of a Special US Squad, put on alert to secure Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, saying it does not go with the US policy towards Pakistan. “Any such action would be contrary to our long standing military and diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan,” said the US embassy official.
snipurl.com/1webn

Pakistan Postpones Vote Until Feb. 18 03 Jan 2008
Pakistan’s election commission announced Wednesday that parliamentary elections would be postponed until Feb. 18, a delay of six weeks, after the death of the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and the riots that have damaged some ‘election’ commission offices and paralyzed parts of Sindh Province.
www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/world/asia/03pakistan.html

Scotland Yard to investigate Bhutto assassination 02 Jan 2008
Gordon Brown today agreed to send a police team from Scotland Yard to Pakistan to help investigate the assassination of the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. The Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf, requested specialist help as serious doubts continued over the government’s version of events surrounding her death.
www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2234195,00.html

Bhutto broke her agreement with the CIA, she wanted to talk with the Islamists 29 Dec 2007
According to the Manar newspaper, the CIA in coordination with Musharraf’s ISI [International Services Intelligence of Pakistan] are behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf briefed the Americans that Bhutto contacted the Islamic movement in Pakistan to reach an agreement for reconciliation leading to future stability of the country and breaking Pakistan link with American war-on[of]-terror… Remember when Karzai told the CNN that he was being held back from serious peace negotiations by the US?
www.roadstoiraq.com/2007/12/29/bhutto-broke-her-agrrement
-with-the-cia-she-wanted-to-talk-with-the-islamists/

Pakistani Refugees Head for Afghanistan
The Associated Press –
WASHINGTON (AP) — Several hundred Pakistani families have fled to neighboring Afghanistan in recent days to escape the turmoil in their country, …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gqtS7
ARpk29F4I7Kpx5_-ZLyCnyAD8TTS3300

Pakistan Postpones Vote Until Feb. 18 03 Jan 2008
Pakistan’s election commission announced Wednesday that parliamentary elections would be postponed until Feb. 18, a delay of six weeks, after the death of the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and the riots that have damaged some ‘election’ commission offices and paralyzed parts of Sindh Province.
www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/world/asia/03pakistan.html

Scotland Yard to investigate Bhutto assassination 02 Jan 2008
Gordon Brown today agreed to send a police team from Scotland Yard to Pakistan to help investigate the assassination of the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. The Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf, requested specialist help as serious doubts continued over the government’s version of events surrounding her death.
www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2234195,00.html

Bhutto broke her agreement with the CIA, she wanted to talk with the Islamists 29 Dec 2007
According to the Manar newspaper, the CIA in coordination with Musharraf’s ISI [International Services Intelligence of Pakistan] are behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf briefed the Americans that Bhutto contacted the Islamic movement in Pakistan to reach an agreement for reconciliation leading to future stability of the country and breaking Pakistan link with American war-on[of]-terror… Remember when Karzai told the CNN that he was being held back from serious peace negotiations by the US?
www.roadstoiraq.com/2007/12/29/bhutto-broke-her-agrre
ment-with-the-cia-she-wanted-to-talk-with-the-islamists/

Moral Downsizing
by Jayne Lyn Stacl
The announcement, by Pakistani officials, that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto died from a skull fracture when falling against the wall of her sports utility vehicle, during the recent rally, and not from bullets from a gun that was aimed directly at her, or schrapnal from a suicide bomb, is yet another example of what a fine role model we, in the U.S., are for the rest of the world in how to cover up an assassination.
http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/index.php?option
=com_content&task=view&id=3156&Itemid=81

Pakistan Says Election Next Week Is `Difficult’ (Update1)
Bloomberg – USA
2 (Bloomberg) — Pakistan’s Election Commission said it would be ``difficult’’ to hold the parliamentary vote on Jan. 8 and is considering delaying the …
www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2
0601091&sid=aQJxgmEpy08w&refer=india

Pakistan election delayed
Winnipeg Sun – Canada
By AP ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — It appears “impossible” for Pakistan to hold a vote on Jan. 8 because of unrest following the killing of Benazir Bhutto,…
winnipegsun.com/News/World/2008/01/02/4748775-sun.html

Pakistan shares up in sign of recovery
AFP –
KARACHI (AFP) — Pakistan share prices opened up in early trading on Wednesday, dealers said, the first rise after two sharp drops following the…
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h2L5TJKHOyBa6CedGqbDlj6chNTA

Pakistan captain Malik eyes successful 2008
AFP –
LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik Tuesday said he hoped his players will put the miseries of 2007 behind them and bounce back …
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iXZWOlE6apyKyFVRztvE_VmPnYvA

At least 27 militants killed in Pakistan: military
AFP –
ISLAMABAD (AFP) — At least 27 militants were killed in two days of clashes in restive northwestern Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan,…
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gq60cSW_bla3jpsXekeg3edTa2Bg

Benazir Bhutto killed in Pakistan for politics
Jakarta Post – Jakarta,Indonesia
Or perhaps it was the simple drama of history exerting a powerful pull that was tugging her back from exile to her native Pakistan, even as the severe…
www.thejakartapost.com/detailedi
torial.asp?fileid=20080102.F04&irec=3

What ‘good time Charlie’ brought
San Francisco Chronicle – CA, USA
Bhutto was, of course, the father of Benazir Bhutto, killed last week in Pakistan. What is not noted is that not only Zia, but every ruler of Pakistan since …
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?
f=/c/a/2008/01/02/EDO7U7L5P.DTL

Pakistan issues Bhutto killing photos, offers reward
Reuters – USA
One of the pictures, published in a notice in Pakistan’s biggest Urdu-language newspaper, shows two men standing in the crowd outside the Bhutto rally …
www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSISL20083

Pakistan Vote Delayed by a Month
The Associated Press –
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Elections will be delayed by one month following the turmoil sparked by Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, despite opposition …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jIE0I
Un4WIiaMBpjG8SI_6H5RXzgD8TTIH4G0

Pakistan stocks find their feet after Bhutto death
Reuters – USA
Among the most active companies, Bosicor Pakistan (BOSI.KA: Quote, Profile, Research) fell 0.80 rupees to 19.50, Worldcall Telecom (WCTL. …
www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSKLR22815420080102

Pakistan urges Australia to tour
By crickinfo
Cricket Australia last week said it would stick with its original plan of reviewing security in Pakistan in March despite widespread violence following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Thursday. …
crichome.wordpress.com/2008/01/
02/pakistan-urges-australia-to-tour/

Clinton Jedi Mind Tricks on Pakistan
By Dayo Olopade
Breaking news of Hillary Clinton’s unrepentant stumbles on the subject of Pakistan hasn’t shocked me. It’s an old story. During interviews in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s killing Thursday, Clinton had suggested she was an familiar …
blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008
/01/01/clinton-jedi-mind-tricks-on-pakistan.aspx

Pakistan’s Power Puzzle
By Barnett R. Rubin(Juan Cole)
The Pakistan Electoral Commission’s decision to postpone the elections scheduled for January 8 because of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto could be justified on technical grounds, but few people in Pakistan will believe the decision …
icga.blogspot.com/2008/01/pakistans-power-puzzle.html

Tribute to Pakistan’s Martyr of Democracy: Nasim Zehra
By Hassan Abbas(Hassan Abbas)
Tribute to Pakistan’s Martyr of Democracy Nasim Zehra The recording room had broken into an audible weep. The news hit us like a ton of bricks, as if the sky had fallen. There was a sense of utter disbelief among the weeping women and …
watandost.blogspot.com/2008/01/tribute-to-pakistans-martyr-of.html

Pakistan-The ‘ideal’ solution
By ourvoicestogether
It seems as if I left Pakistan eons ago after several years of frustration, disgust and encounters with the system and its cronies. I saw the country declining. The decades of the 80s and 90s were perhaps the most crucial – hatred, …
ourvoicestogether.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/pa
kistan-the-%E2%80%98ideal%E2%80%99-solution/