Friday, December 28, 2007

U.S. Brokered Bhutto's Return to Pakistan

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signs a condolence book for slain Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, seen on portrait, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington. Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, by an attacker who shot her after a campaign rally and then blew himself up. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

"For Benazir Bhutto, the decision to return to Pakistan was sealed during a telephone call from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice just a week before Bhutto flew home in October. The call culminated more than a year of secret diplomacy -- and came only when it became clear that the heir to Pakistan's most powerful political dynasty was the only one who could bail out Washington's key ally in the battle against terrorism."

Once again, the not so invisible hand of America comes to light. Condoleezza had to know that Bhutto's return to Pakistan would place her in grave danger. Signing Bhutto's condolence book is the least she can do. If Condi really wanted to extend her condolences she should call Bhutto's husband and three children and explain to them why she convinced Benazir to return to Pakistan as a counter-weight to President Musharraf.

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