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December30, 2007 - [India Thinkers Net]Who killed Benazir ? >> |
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[1] AICC PRESS STATEMENT BHUBANESWAR, December 28, 2007 Christians appeal for peace in Orissa Where is the rule of law, Christian leaders ask Shivraj Patil, Naveen Pattnaik, as toll rises to Fifty Churches and insitutions destroyed / desecrated Call for CBI probe, arrest of guilty, restoration of peace Full compensation to all victims Patil says Centre is ready to airlift police to villages if state seeks help Christian leaders met the Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil in New Delhi, and Orissa Chief Minister Mr Naveen Pattnaik in Bhubaneswar on 27th December 2007 as church groups and human rights activists held protest rallies in the National Capital and Mumbai condemning Christmas day violence on the community. There is deep apprehension that the State government and the police, despite their lip-service to restore peace and remove the fears of the people, have not shown the alacrity and diligence required in the face of the spreading hate campaign against Christians, coercive and threatening speeches and the violence. It is strange that both the Central and State governments are pleading that police forces cannot enter the deep forest areas because hoodlums have cut trees to block roads. Surely the police have the manpower and machinery to remove such roadblocks and restore the rule of law. The Christian delegations have demanded: 1. An immediate unbiased enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigations 2. Adequate and immediate deployment of Central paramilitary Forces 3. Immediate compensation to the inured and the survivors of the dead as paid top victims of violence in Gujarat and other states. 4. Fact finding team to assess the damage to property, and immediate announcement of comprehensive compensation. A national delegation of Christian leaders, including Delhi Archbishop Vincent Concessao, National Integration Council member Dr John Dayal, Bishop Karam Masih and Dr Richard Howell, sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister and President and were requested to meet Mr Shivraj Patil in the Union Home Ministry. Patil said he was in touch wit the State authorities. He pleaded that the situation had been complicated because of simultaneous agitations on the tribal status for some groups, and the entry of militant groups. He said the government was determined to restore peace. CRPF rapid action force and other paramilitary troops could be airlifted if the stat government felt so, he said. He also assured that there would be fill compensation paid to affected persons. The Union Home Minister however could give no assurance on punishing the guilty who continue to mount a hate campaign against the Christian community, openly announcing that "Those who become Christians become enemies. We wall not allow this." In Bhubaneswar, a Christian delegation led by Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, Bishop Saratchandra Nayak, Bp Samson Das and Rev. P. R Parichha were finally able to meet the Chief Minister after two days. Speaking for the delegation, Archbishop Cheenath told Mr Naveen Pattnaik of the state of anarchy and asked him where was the rule of law and the Constitutional assurances of live and dignity. The Christians had been trapped between violent fanatical mobs, a partisan police and total government inaction. The Archbishop narrated the sequence of events since Christmas Eve, and list of affected parishes, churches and insitutions to the extent we had been able to get. The following are excerpts of the memorandum submitted to the Home Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Orissa: "It is with a heavy heart that we also bring to you our apprehension and fear that the current atrocities against Christians in the tribal area of Phoolbani in the State of Orissa is fast exploding into the type of violence we saw in the Dangs district of Gujarat during Christmas 1998. The official apathy, the police indifference and the freedom allowed to marauding bands of fanatics and armed thugs in Gujarat has been repeated in Orissa in what is a planned conspiracy against the Church and our faith. Spokesman of communal groups are coming on television and in the Print media to announce they will not tolerate the presence of Christians in the trial areas of Orissa. The threat of continuing and escalating violence, the targeting of Church leaders and the concerted attack on institution prove that the conspiracy has been planned over a period of time, with meticulous mobilisation. This would not have been possible without the complicity of the official machinery, and the backing of powerful political groups. Unless immediate and urgent action is taken, we fear that the situation in Orissa will deteriorate and will lead to much suffering for our people, as also for the common men, women and children of the tribal areas, the poorest of the poor. The main aggression is from the Kui Janakalyan Samiti. This organization had declared bandh on 25th and 26th December 2007 in order to press for their demands. But Christians feel that it was only ploy used against Christians in order to: a) Disturb their Christmas celebration, the important feast of Christians; it is even a National holiday. b) Instead of conducting bandh they have unleashed a reign of terror, destroying institutions, intimidating Christians and forcing them to go out of their homes. c) Their entire attention is on driving away Christians from the region. We narrate for you, in brief, the course of events and the volume of violence: INSTITUTIONS ATTACKED SO FAR PARISH CHURCH VILLAGE CHURCHES Balliguda Bodagan-Balliguda Balliguda town Kamapada - Balliuda Pobingia Mandipanka- Godapur Baminigam Jhinjirguda- Bamunigam Ulipadaro - Bamunigam Goborkutty-Kattingia Kulpakia- Nuagam 3 more village church CONVENTS PRESBYTERY Balliguda Balliguda Pobingia Pobingia Phulbani Bamunigam Bamunigam HOSTELS Pobingia 2 Balliguda 2 Bamunigam 2 Minor Seminary (Balliguda) Vocational Training Centre (Balliguda) In addition, offices such as those of World Vision have also been destroyed. The course of violence so far is: 24/12/07: Trouble began at Bamunigaon village when a Christmas pandal was attacked with guns, injuring three persons. On 25th December, church building at Bamunigaon has been attacked and damaged. The Catholic Church at Baliguda a sub-divisional headquarters town, was suddenly attacked by mob and vandalised, ransacked and damaged very badly. The Computer Institute was attacked and completely destroyed. Ambulance Van set on fire. 25/12/07: CNI Church attacked and damaged at Baliguda... World Vision ADP Office at Daringbadi was attacked and vandalised. Two Jeep and motor bikes set on fire. Police Station at Tikabali a Block headquarters was surrounded by the mob and two police jeeps set on fire. Two churches in Chakapadu area were attacked while church service was going on and people chased out and beaten up. Meals prepared for Christmas feast was trampled. No church service was allowed to conduct in Phulbani the District headquarters of Kondhmal district, despite the presence of District Collector and Superintendent of Police. The district administration said they could go ahead to conduct church service at their own risk. Chandballi Baptist Church in Balasore district was attacked while Christmas Service was going on and people were chased out and beaten up. Towards evening heavy fighting between Christians and Hindu fundamentalist group erupted in Barakhama area, near Baliguda town. Our efforts to get the government of Orissa to expeditiously contain the violence, arrest the culprits and restore the confidence of the poor tribal and Dalit Christian community in the have met with a phlegmatic bureaucratic response. While the Christian leadership has been appealing for peace and harmony, aggressive religious fundamentalist elements or local ashrams and political organisations have a run of field, and are openly threatening the Church. We appeal to the Central and State governments to ensure that there is ample police protection given to the Christian community, its personnel, and insitutions in the state. +Archbishop Raphael Cheenath SVD, Archbishop 0f Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Dr John Dayal, Member, National Integration Council, Govt. Of India, New Delhi Rev P R Paricha, All India Christian Council, Cuttack ----------------------- [2] Benazir Bhutto Pays With Life For Democracy By Beena Sarwar http://www.countercurrents.org/sarwar281207.htm Benazir Bhutto has paid the heaviest price possible for her insistence on engaging in participatory, democratic politics in Pakistan. Bhutto, twice prime minister and leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), was killed Thursday evening in what was apparently a suicide attack following gunshots that injured her as she was leaving an election rally in the garrison town of Rawalpindi Who Killed Benazir Bhutto? By Murtaza Shibli http://www.countercurrents.org/shibli281207.htm Benzir's death should not come as a surprise at all. For the past three decades, Pakistan has been turned into a "Jihad factory' under the guidance of the US and other Western powers. After 9/11 when Pakistan launched a war on its own people in the name of "War on terror', it was not uncanny to predict that the Jihadis who were nourished previously will turn against their old allies -- the politicians and the military and the innocent people of Pakistan will get caught and entangled as a collateral Pakistan After Benazir Bhutto By Dr Shabir Choudhry http://www.countercurrents.org/choudhry281207.htm This disillusionment, anger and resentment could exacerbate the political situation of Pakistan, and could lead to a civil war resulting in more trouble, more deaths and more destruction. But I hope the common sense will prevail and people will restrain and learn from this tragedy and help Pakistan to become a stable, democratic and liberal country She Died As Her Father Did: Bravely By Tarek Fatah http://www.countercurrents.org/fatah281207.htm Why did they have to kill her? If she was as corrupt as her critics claim, couldn't they have bought her loyalties? Her killers, however, knew that the woman who spent years in jail, lived in exile for a decade, had one thing on her mind: the end of Islamic extremism in Pakistan. For that, and for the fact that she was a woman, she had to be eliminated Was Bhutto Just A Tragic Victim? By Chris Gelken http://www.countercurrents.org/gelken281207.htm The fact that the frontier provinces of Pakistan are now safe havens for Taliban and al-Qaeda, all of these things make for a very difficult situation, and the idea that the U. S. could impose a package deal between a now civilian President Musharraf, a Prime Minister Bhutto, and a new American vetted general in charge of the army, was a dangerously unrealistic fantasy, and one I think that was finally played out in the streets of Rawalpindi and Bhutto’s tragic death today --------- [3] From: rkurian@bgl.vsnl.net.in Date: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:36 pm Subject: The Void Left Behind..(Benazir Bhutto's murder) washingtonpost. com The Void Left Behind By Ahmed Rashid Friday, December 28, 2007; A21 LAHORE, Pakistan -- The assassination of Benazir Bhutto has left a huge political vacuum at the heart of this nuclear-armed state, which appears to be slipping into an abyss of violence and Islamic extremism. The question of what happens next is almost impossible to answer, especially at a moment when Bhutto herself seemed to be the only answer. Pakistanis are in shock. Many are numb, and others are filled with unimaginable grief. Thousands have taken to the streets, burning vehicles and attacking police stations in an explosion of violence against the government. Bhutto's death yesterday will almost certainly lead to the cancellation of the Jan. 8 parliamentary elections (already, the nation's second-largest opposition party has called for a boycott if the vote is held) and the possible imposition of extraordinary measures by the military -- another state of emergency or even martial law. President Pervez Musharraf's own political future has never been less certain. Bhutto's death leaves the largest possible vacuum at the core of Pakistan's shaky and blood-stained political system. Twice elected prime minister in the 1990s, twice dismissed on charges of corruption and incompetence by the military, Bhutto was a giant of a politician in a land of political pygmies and acolytes of the military. Benazir Bhutto and her Pakistan People's Party were the closest anyone in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has ever gotten to espousing a secular, democratic political culture. In a country where political advances have been made recently only by the Taliban, the role Bhutto filled, trying to bring modernity to this nation of 165 million people, was immensely brave and absolutely necessary if Pakistan is to remain in the polity of nations. Whatever her shortcomings, she loved her country and gave her life for it. She and her party commanded the die-hard loyalty of at least one-third of the electorate. Her supporters were vehemently against army rule and Islamic extremism. In recent weeks, she had publicly taken on the Taliban extremists -- something Musharraf has not dared to do, despite all his bluster and bonhomie with President Bush since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. With Bhutto gone, there is no one who can play such a role. Her longest-running battle was not with the extremists but with the army, whose leaders never trusted her. She was too secular, too worldly and perhaps too wise. Bhutto was killed leaving a political rally in Rawalpindi, just two miles from where her father, prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was hanged by another military dictator 30 years ago. The tragedy of the Bhutto family -- her brothers also were killed, one poisoned, one shot, and her husband spent seven years in prison -- has become part of the saga and struggle by Pakistanis to create a viable democratic, modern state. Yesterday, her party's stalwarts were on the streets, accusing Musharraf and the military of perpetrating the latest murder of a Bhutto. That is extremely unlikely, not least because last night the government itself was in despair. The attack -- a gunman cut her down before a suicide-bomb explosion blew up her vehicle, early reports suggest -- bore the hallmarks of training by the al-Qaeda terrorists ensconced in northwest Pakistan. Her death only exacerbates the problems Pakistan has been grappling with for the past few months: how to find a modicum of political stability through a representative government that the army can accept and will not work to undermine, and how to tackle the extremism spreading in the country. If the elections are canceled, it is imperative that Musharraf drop his single-minded desire for power and establish a national government made up of all the country's leading politicians and parties. Together, they may agree on how to conduct an orderly election while trying to beat back the specter of extremism that is haunting this benighted land. But Musharraf may not survive the fallout of Bhutto's death. His actions have not been honorable, and none of the political opposition is willing to sit down with him. It is unlikely that they will accept Musharraf's continued presidency. If rioting and political mayhem worsen, if the opposition refuses to cooperate with Musharraf and the United States finally begins to distance itself from him, then the army may be forced to tell Musharraf to call it a day. If that happens, it will be even more urgent that the world support a national government, elections and a speedy return to civilian rule -- and not another military dictatorship. Ahmed Rashid, a Pakistani journalist, is the author of "Taliban" and "Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia." ------------ [4] From: Regi P George <george_regi@yahoo.com Date: Fri Dec 28, 2007 Subject: Death of Benazir Bhutto Death of Benazir Bhuttoo Murtaza Shibli Editor Kashmir Affairs, London [www. kashmiraffairs .org] The death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhuttoo is being mourned by millions of Pakistanis. She had a profound public base despite staying out of her country for nearly a decade and dogged by corruption and nepotism charges. Her death, however, should not come as a surprise at all. For the past three decades, Pakistan has been turned into a ‘Jihad factory’ under the guidance of the US and other Western powers. After 9/11 when Pakistan launched a war on its own people in the name of ‘War on terror’, it was not uncanny to predict that the Jihadis who were nourished previously will turn against their old allies – the politicians and the military and the innocent people of Pakistan will get caught and entangled as a collateral. ‘Martyr of Democracy’? Is Benazir Bhuttoo a martyr for democracy is Pakistan? Many of the Pakistani political parties are calling it a set-back for democracy which could be seriously contested, but her death is certainly a blow to the electoral exercise. Strangely, exiled leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement MQM, Altaf Hussain called her ‘martyr of democracy’. Altaf Hussain’s MQM is blamed for hundreds of terrorist actions that led to the deaths of thousands of people in Karachi. The world’s ‘greatest democrat’ George Bush has claimed that Benazir laid down her life for the ideals of democracy. Benazir Bhuttoo was indeed a very popular woman politician of her country, but she was by no means a democrat. During her tenure as twice Prime Minister of her country, she stifled the growth of democracy and undermined the democratic institutions. She not only concentrated in herself the absolute power of the country, but also assumed the title of chairperson for life of her political party – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Her husband Asif Ali Zardari is generally seen as the villain who tarnished Benazir’s image through corruption and violence. Zardari, a jagirdar or landlord used his traditional violent methods to subdue his opponents and used the government power of his wife to extract benefits through his various corrupt, and often violent deals. He was alleged to be involved in the killing of Murtaza Bhuttoo, Benazir’s brother. Asif Zardari had even maintained private jails where he tortured his opponents. This all happened while Benazir Bhuttoo’s ‘democratically elected’ government was in power. Benazir’s record for corruption surpassed all the pervious governments as she amassed huge assets mostly in Dubai, the UK and other Western capitals plundering the assets of her country. Her government was involved in the massive human rights violations particularly in Karachi where the MQM militants had virtually brought the financial capital of Pakistan to a grinding halt. The reaction of the Benazir government was ruthless operations that killed thousands of innocent and unarmed civilians. Although Benazir was portrayed as the ‘modern and moderate’ face of Pakistan who could help fighting Jihadists, this fact is conveniently buried that it was her government that helped formation of Taliban whose legacy continues to ruin Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond. After her return from self-exile, Benazir went beyond all decency and decorum to appease the US and other Western powers. Her assertions that she was not opposed to the American operations in the Pakistan’s tribal areas to fight ‘terrorism’ and would allow disgraced scientist AQ Khan to be interrogated by the US showed her desperation for power. Power was all that mattered and she showed no regard to the public feelings or her country’s integrity. She even talked tough about Jihadis and was willing to follow the course of General Musharraf’s military response to the crisis rather than any political negotiation to rid the country of growing extremism. Who killed Benazir? There is no doubt that Benazir Bhuttoo had many enemies. After her rhetoric against Taliban and other Islamic fundamentalists, her list of enemies grew phenomenally. Despite the ‘deal’ between Pervez Musharraf and Benazir Bhuttoo, she was seen as main challenge to the current government. This is important to note that General Musharraf allowed Bhuttoo into Pakistan only after tremendous US pressure. When she arrived in Pakistan in October last, the millions of people who came to receive her gave sleepless nights to the government authorities. This ultimately paved way for the return of Nawaz Sharief another former Prime Minister who was earlier deported as soon as he landed in Pakistan. Although the Jihadists and Al-Qaeda had allegedly vowed to kill her, the current Pakistani regime headed by General Musharraf can not be absolved and will be the greatest benefactor of her death. Another rival who may have been willing to see her dead are Chaudhry Brothers – Chaudhry Pervez Illahi and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of Pakistan Muslim League Q, the political partner of General Musharraf. The Chaudhry Brothers were the bitterest opponents of Benazir’s homecoming and tried unsuccessfully to stop President Musharraf from doing a deal with Bhutto. When the terrorists attacked Benazir’s homecoming rally on October 18, 2007, she blamed former Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Ilahi. Chaudhry Brothers have had well documented connections with the Jihadist extremists and are well known to use violence for their political goals. Even if President Musharraf’s government may not be directly involved in her killing, it can not be absolved of inaction in protecting her. Despite being on the ‘hit list’ of terrorists and extremists, Benazir was not provided ample security cover. The deterioration of Pakistan’s intelligence and security apparatus to predict or stop suicide bombings can be gauged by the number of rising fatal bombings in and around the highest protected area of the Army Headquarters GHQ in Rawalpindi. Benazir Bhuttoo was also killed in Rawalpindi not far from the country’s military headquarters. The Future The future of Pakistan is fraught with instability and the death of Benazir has further undermined the internal security of Pakistan. After her death, her party could win the majority of seats if the elections go ahead, but there is no single leader that could hold the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) together. Unfortunately, Benazir’s legacy for her party is highly undemocratic and there is a chance that the PPP could split with many contenders and claimants for the throne. This could create further divisions among the Pakistan’s fractured polity. Light at the End of Tunnel There is no doubt that the death meted out to Benazir Bhuttoo is tragic and testing for Pakistan. But there are some positive things that seem to be coming out of this national tragedy. In his reaction and speech to the nation, President Pervez Musharraf declared three day ‘official mourning’ when the national flag will fly at half mast. This is for the first time that the death of an opposition leader has been recognised officially. Similarly, Islamist Jama’at-e-Islami while condemning the terror act has called for a general strike. Other political parties from a wide spectrum of persuasions have condemned the killing and offered condolences. The suicide attack on Benazir’s convoy on 18th October 2007 that killed nearly 150 Pakistani civilians precipitated the anger of Pakistanis against the terrorism and extremism. There was a massive public recognition and reaction against the extremist ideology. Benazir’s death might act as a catalyst to unite the Pakistani nation and strengthen their resolve to fight the menace that has engulfed the country thanks to its willingness to act as proxy to the alien interests in the region. If Pervaiz Musharraf’s government can offer initiatives to value the public opinion of Pakistanis in this time of multiple crisis and bring about a real national reconciliation, Pakistan could emerge from the challenges that are not only threatening the core values of its society, but also the very existence of the country and its people. -------------- |
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December30, 2007 - [India Thinkers Net]Who killed Benazir ? >> |
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