Gary BUTTERWORTH Online

WASHINGTON, DC, USA

Back in January of 2006, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto came to my office for some interviews and a press conference.

My boss was the one who set up the visit, and she arranged for some tea for Benazir.  The tea was served, but Benazir wanted cream.  So, my boss tasked me to find some cream for BB’s tea.

I found the cream and returned to give it to Benazir. 

I don’t remember if I added it to the tea or if Benazir did, but suffice it to say that cream was added.  BB smiled at me warmly and thanked me.  She seemed genuinely grateful.

BUT! 
Before she took a sip, one of her advisers pulled her aside and whispered into her ear.  Benazir and the adviser looked me up and down.  They glanced suspiciously at the tea, and snuck a peek at the container the cream was in.  They whispered a little more, but Benazir finally took a sip.  She thanked me again.

At the time, I was somewhat amused and somewhat bemused that a former world leader at least entertained the idea that I might be trying to poison her.  But, after today’s events, I have to wonder if Benazir trusted me more than she should have.

***

I’m hardly ignorant, but I’m not nearly as “into” Pakistani politics as one might think.  Part of this is intentional: I do journalistic work, and I’m trying to stay as impartial as possible.  But there are two things that I do know:

1. This wasn’t much of a surprise. 
2. Regardless of what you think of Benazir, this is a tragedy.

Benazir must have been incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid.  (Or are they sometimes the same thing?)  More than once, I had heard the phrase, “when Benazir is assassinated.”  Not “if;” “when.”

Regardless, there are certain traits about her that you can’t help but admire: overcoming such adversity with her family, getting so far as a woman in an Islamic country, and appealing to the west as well as to her constituents.  Plus, she seemed genuinely kind.  At least as genuine as anyone can seem after a 30-second meeting.

Of course, she was far from perfect. 
I’m not going to get into whether she was ultimately good or ultimately bad, or if she were “the lesser of many evils” or anything like that.  I don’t have an opinion.  And even if I did, I’m not sure it would be appropriate to share it.

But I am willing to come out and say that the assassination is almost undoubtedly bad.  It was a suicide attack in more than one sense of the term: the gunman was killed, stability in Pakistan took a blow, and hopes of democracy on life-support.  The Army (and Musharaff’s) credibility is hurt.  Opponents will be looked at with suspicion.  And if this is some sort of power-grab by outside forces, I just can’t see it succeeding for long.

***

I was extra-busy today at work covering this.  In fact, I’m staying in DC an extra day.  (Call/e-mail/text me if you’re in town and free tomorrow afternoon/evening.).   

Speaking of coverage, I’d like to say that I am impressed with the way the American media has been covering this.  Their coverage isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely a step up from what they have been doing.  The international media is also doing an admirable job, but this is less of a surprise.

I don’t really have anything terribly insightful to say about this event.  Just that it hits home.  Maybe it shouldn’t.  But when I saw my old boss on TV this afternoon from Rawalpindi, crying over the assassination of her colleague, whom I had met, and whom was briefly skeptical of me….I don’t know.  It just felt odd to have a personal connection, however small, to something historic.  It feels even odder when you stop to consider the possible ramifications in international politics.

Filed under: Current Events, international, Life, Politics Tagged: | benazir bhutto, pakistan