Benazir's husband rejects govt's 'explosive' claims

CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD: Benazir's husband and children flew in from Dubai for the funeral.

          

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Rajdeep Sardesai

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Keywords: Assassination, Benazir Bhutto

CNN-IBN: No attempt was made to conduct a post-mortem. Your comment.

Zardari: Yes, the post-mortem needed my permission but by the time I landed, it was too late.

CNN-IBN: Are you asking for an enquiry?

Zardari: Even when the first attack took place, we asked for an enquiry by Scotland Yard and FBI. They refused us. She gave her life for PPP, the party for which her father and brother also died. The party is meeting tomorrow. We intend to debate this position and will come up with a response.

CNN-IBN: Earlier, Benazir had pointed out that should her life come under threat, several personnel from Army would be to blame. Are you beginning to get a sense of what she meant?

Zardari: That letter is with Musharraf and they (government) are now refusing to listen to our version. But she has also left behind what call be called a death will – a dying declaration – which one of her friends in America has released.

CNN-IBN: Were you satisfied with the security arrangement?

Zardari: No. In fact, We had written to the authorities one day earlier complaining about the security. Those newspaper items are available. Simply put, the authorities were not interested in protecting her at all.

CNN-IBN: Are you suggesting that Pak govt was deliberately creating a situation whee Benazir’s life came under threat?

Zardari: I could say that easily. Yes.

CNN-IBN: How do you see this unfortunate incident playing itself out on Pakistan streets? There have already been several incidents of violence.

Zardari: It has shaken country’s roots. The only binding force in Pakistan was our political force under her leadership. We have lost that. I don’t know which side the country will go. Intelligent guess is that it will become very weak and will turn into a no-man’s land more than ever before.

CNN-IBN: Who is responsible for all this?

Zardari: It’s the ruler who is responsible.

CNN-IBN: The Pak government is suggesting al-Qaeda was responsible.

Zardari: If you look at the statement she made after the first unsuccessful attempt on her life, she said whoever those people might be, the thought process is the same.