Richardson Urges Independent Investigation into Bhutto Assassination

Says Musharraf has lost all credibility

PERRY, IA-- New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson today reacted to revelations that a Pakistani police chief apparently blocked an autopsy on Benazir Bhutto and to a new video raising doubts about the official Pakistani explanation of her death. Governor Richardson has served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and has extensive diplomatic experience around the world, including in Pakistan and Southern Asia. Below is his statement:

"These reports raise even more questions about Musharraf's credibility. The way forward in Pakistan will require two steps: conducting an independent international investigation into the events surrounding Bhutto's assassination and having Musharraf step down and allow for free and fair elections. I stand with the Pakistan Peoples Party in its call for such an investigation.

"I am extremely disappointed both in President Bush and my fellow Presidential candidates who continue to back the failed dictator Musharraf. The Washington insiders have it tragically wrong. The longer that we back Musharraf, the more likely it is that the world will pay a horrible price. Every day that America is associated with his anti-democratic policies, the greater the likelihood that Pakistan will go the way of Iran.

"The choice between security and democracy is a false one.

"Stability in Pakistan will be achieved only via free and fair elections, and those cannot occur while Musharraf runs the nation. Those who cannot see that reality, those who choose a false and hollow security over human rights, and those who prefer short-term ease at the cost of long-term disaster plainly have not learned the lessons of history.

"Where is the leadership?"

Richardson Mourns Bhutto, Calls for Musharraf to Step Down

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson issued the following statement this morning after the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

"Benazir Bhutto was a courageous woman. Her death, and the deaths of so many of her supporters, is more than just a tragedy. It is a testament to the will of the Pakistani people to see democracy restored. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died today.

"Ms. Bhutto knew the dangers to her safety. But she would not be intimidated. We also must not be intimidated.

A leader has died, but democracy must live. The United States government cannot stand by and allow Pakistan's return to democracy to be derailed or delayed by violence.

We must use our diplomatic leverage and force the enemies of democracy to yield: President Bush should press Musharraf to step aside, and a broad-based coalition government, consisting of all the democratic parties, should be formed immediately. Until this happens, we should suspend military aid to the Pakistani government. Free and fair elections must also be held as soon as possible.

It is in the interests of the US that there be a democratic Pakistan that relentlessly hunts down terrorists. Musharraf has failed, and his attempts to cling to power are destabilizing his country. He must go."

Richardson is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

BIDEN ON PAKISTAN

Sen. Joe Biden held a press conference today in Des Moines, IA to discuss former Prime Minister Bhutto’s assassination and the continued importance of America’s relationship with Pakistan. You can listen to the audio here:

To download: http://www.box.net/shared/bpge6tzfo8
To listen: http://www.box.net/shared/static/bpge6tzfo8.wav

Sen. Biden has long warned that Pakistan is one of the most complex countries we deal with and that its stability and America’s security are linked. He has repeatedly acted on that conviction. Sen. Biden delivered a speech at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH on November 8th, where he detailed “A New Approach to Pakistan.” The transcript of his remarks can be found here: http://www.joebiden.com/getinformed/speeches?id=0090

Below are some other key examples of Sen. Biden’s leadership with respect to Pakistan: (1) In September and then again in October, Sen. Biden wrote to Pakistan President Musharraf on the need for him the government of Pakistan to provide effective security for Benazir Bhutto and other political leaders; (2) during the October 30th Democratic debate Sen. Biden raised the importance of Pakistan because of its nuclear capability; (3) when President Musharraf declared a state of emergency, Sen. Biden spoke to both President Musharraf and former Prime Minister and opposition leader Bhutto before President Bush; (4) on November 8th, Sen. Biden delivered a major address outlining a new policy toward Pakistan.

SNEN Note: There was an attachment with the info. However, it is 13 pages long and thus we opted not to include.