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Posted by Bashir E Khan on 1/1/2008, 12:29 am, in reply to "BENAZIR BHUTTO-Femme Courage"
78.149.213.93
ON BENAZIR BHUTTO'S DEATH AND PAKISTAN POLITICS.
FIRST MY CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY ESPECIALLY HER 3 CHILDREN. ABOVE ALL SHE WAS A MOTHER, IRRESPECTIVE OF HER POLITICS.
ON ERIC FOTTORINO PIECE WHICH APPEARED IN LEXPRESS (ILE MAURICE), WITHOUT QUOTING THE SOURCE.IN FACT FOTTORINO WROTE THE PIECE AS AN EDITORIAL IN FRANCE'S LE MONDE ON 28TH DECEMBER, I BELIEVE.
I have only 2 questions on Fottorino's article:
1. Is Eric Fottorino qualify to speak on Benazir's level of practising her faith. He wrote of her-" Au fond Peu Croyante,? "
I should point out that even her fiercest political opponents have avoided talking of her practice of her faith. Fottorino knows otherwise.
2. The $64 Millions dollar question- who has done it? As of now, it is anybody's guess. Benazir's own party Officials is pointing the fingers at the Musharraf's camps, rightly or wrongly. But Eric Fottorino again know otherise , he has already concluded that Benazir was assassinated by -quote: " Et ce sont les tenants de l’obscurantisme religieux qui, en l’assassinant, ont tué cet espoir de démocratie et de liberté."
Finally with regard to the Democratic credentials of Benazir's PPP party, as opposed to what she herself stood for, read the two articles below to be warned against the dangers of Political Dynasties- something which we notice with interest, is also picking up momentum in MAURITIAN POLITICS.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL
BASHIR E KHAN
THE 2 ARTICLES.
The Independent
full article
http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article3295851.ece
edited version below:
My heart bleeds for Pakistan. It deserves better than this grotesque feudal charade
By Tariq Ali, Pakistan-born writer, broadcaster and commentator
Published: 31 December 2007
Six hours before she was executed, Mary, Queen of Scots wrote to her brother-in-law, Henry III of France: "...As for my son, I commend him to you in so far as he deserves, for I cannot answer for him." The year was 1587.
On 30 December 2007, a conclave of feudal potentates gathered in the home of the slain Benazir Bhutto to hear her last will and testament being read out and its contents subsequently announced to the world media. Where Mary was tentative, her modern-day equivalent left no room for doubt. She could certainly answer for her son.All this could have been avoided, but the deadly angel who guided her when she was alive was, alas, not too concerned with democracy. And now he is in effect leader of the party.
It has now been made public that, when Benazir asked the US for a Karzai-style phalanx of privately contracted former US Marine bodyguards, the suggestion was contemptuously rejected by the Pakistan government, which saw it as a breach of sovereignty.
Now both Hillary Clinton and Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are pinning the convict's badge on Mr Musharraf and not al-Qa'ida for the murder, a sure sign that sections of the US establishment are thinking of dumping the President.
Their problem is that, with Benazir dead, the only other alternative for them is General Ashraf Kiyani, head of the army. Nawaz Sharif is seen as a Saudi poodle and hence unreliable, though, given the US-Saudi alliance, poor Mr Sharif is puzzled as to why this should be the case. For his part, he is ready to do Washiongton's bidding but would prefer the Saudi King rather than Mr Musharraf to be the imperial message-boy.
A solution to the crisis is available. This would require Mr Musharraf's replacement by a less contentious figure, an all-party government of unity to prepare the basis for genuine elections within six months, and the reinstatement of the sacked Supreme Court judges to investigate Benazir's murder without fear or favour. It would be a start.********
THE INDEPENDENT. 31 st Dec 07
full article :
http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/yasmin_alibhai_brown/article3295871.ece
edited version below
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: Born to rule - and not just in Pakistan
And here we have our own emerging lineages, as much from the left as the right
Published: 31 December 2007
This weekend, the inner circle of the Pakistan People's Party awaited their instructions from the grave. They gathered at the Bhutto residence in Naudero, Larkana to implement the wishes of their lost leader. Benazir's last will and testament decides who is to succeed her as leader of the PPP. Not very democratic, especially not for an avowed democrat who genuinely believed in democracy, but that is the way it is with political dynasties in the East. Democrats grab the hereditary cloaks pulled off the old aristocracies and wear them with pride. An absolute sense of entitlement, bequeathed power and inherited privilege ensure the continuation of the line.
Not as brazen as the selection of 17-year-old Emily Benn, granddaughter of the national treasure, Tony Benn, who fills auditoriums across the land talking in that refreshingly honest way about neo-liberal, New Labour. Her mother is Nita Clark, once a trusted political advisor to Blair. Young Emily fizzes with much enthusiasm about work experience in 10 Downing Street when others of her age were skulking in their bedrooms. Good on her, you think. Then you think, she only got this access because of who she was. Family power matters more than issues and principles.
It would be iniquitous to discriminate against the exceptionally able children of the successful. But they must be seen to compete fairly for any chances that come their way. That doesn't happen. The ease of entry and progress a name bestows – sometimes on the undeserving – is plainly wrong. Bilawal may not be suited for the future mapped out for him; Emily may not be for hers. Upcoming broadcasters and journalists with a known pedigree would get nowhere without the leg-up provided by nepotism. Nameless others may be vastly better choices.
We are getting better scrutiny of public appointments in parliament. Unfair dynastic advantage, however, is never questioned, never interrogated, not in Pakistan and not here either. And it should be.
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