[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H30-H35]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING ASSASSINATION OF FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR
BHUTTO AND REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT OF UNITED STATES TO ASSIST PEOPLE OF
PAKISTAN
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 912) condemning the assassination of former
Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirming the commitment
of the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating
terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 912
Whereas on December 27, 2007, former Pakistani Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while departing a
peaceful election rally;
Whereas the attack on Ms. Bhutto also killed some 20 other
innocent bystanders and fellow Muslims;
Whereas Ms. Bhutto had returned to Pakistan in October 2007
after 8 years of self-imposed exile for the stated purpose of
bringing democracy and the voice of moderation back to
Pakistan;
Whereas Pakistan has struggled historically in its path
toward a secure and stable democracy, having been ruled by
unelected leaders for 34 out of 60 years of Pakistan's
history;
Whereas Pakistan has been plagued by over 40 suicide
attacks, claiming over 700 lives in 2007;
Whereas the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan
are being used by al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorist
and extremist elements to regroup, retrain, and recruit for
future attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan;
Whereas Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation, adding another
level of complexity to Pakistan's deteriorating security
situation and raising the specter of nuclear arms falling
into the hands of extremists in the future;
Whereas the international community has a vital interest in
supporting a free, stable, and secure Pakistan so as to stem
the rise of extremism in the region, prevent global acts of
terrorism originating in Pakistan, and support the movement
toward stable political institutions and democratic values
and the rule of law;
Whereas in the past 5 years, the United States has provided
over $5,000,000,000 in assistance to Pakistan and an
additional $5,000,000,000 to reimburse Pakistan for its
expenses incurred in combating terrorism;
Whereas a significant portion of United States assistance
and reimbursements have gone to support Pakistani military
operations in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region,
counterterrorism operations in the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas in Pakistan and to increase Pakistan's
counterterrorism and military capability;
Whereas there is an acute need for additional assistance
from the United States and other countries to support and
promote Pakistan's economic, social, and political
development; and
Whereas the tragic death of Ms. Bhutto creates even greater
uncertainty in an unstable region: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of
former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and expresses
its condolences to her family and the families of all those
who were killed or injured in the attack of December 27,
2007;
(2) supports efforts by Pakistan to expeditiously bring to
justice those who have perpetrated this cruel and cowardly
attack;
(3) welcomes the provision of assistance by the Government
of the United Kingdom of expertise to the Government of
Pakistan in the conduct of the investigation of the attack;
(4) commends the Government of Pakistan for accepting such
assistance and urges that government to allow experts from
the United Kingdom to participate in such investigation in
the fullest possible manner;
(5) urges the people and Government of Pakistan to be
relentless in its pursuit of a democratically-elected
government, including the holding of free and fair elections
at the earliest possible opportunity;
(6) expresses its support for the freedom of the media, the
ability of political parties to express their views without
restriction, and the independence of the judiciary in
Pakistan; and
(7) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist
the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and
promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Ackerman) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 912.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, on December 27, former Prime Minister of Pakistan
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi as she left a peaceful
political rally. In addition, 20 of her supporters were killed in a
suicide bomb blast and Pakistan was wracked by violence and instability
in the immediate aftermath.
Former Prime Minister Bhutto had returned to Pakistan in October
after several years in exile in an attempt to bring Pakistan back to
the democratic fold and inject the voice of moderation into the
Pakistani parliamentary elections. Her killers cut short that effort in
an attack that was one of 40 suicide bombings that killed 700 people in
Pakistan during 2007.
Ms. Bhutto's life was marked by tragedy that played out on Pakistan's
public stage. Her father was hung after a questionable trial. Her
brother was murdered. As Prime Minister, she was twice removed from
office by the army amid allegations of corruption and wound up in self-
imposed exile. Yet she
[[Page H31]]
remained very popular with the people of Pakistan, especially those in
her home province of Sindh, and as the awful events of December 27
demonstrate, she was perceived as a threat by someone.
The United States and the rest of the international community have a
vital interest in supporting a free, stable, and secure Pakistan so as
to stem the rise of extremism in South Asia, prevent global acts of
terrorism from originating in Pakistan, and support the movement toward
stable political institutions, democratic values, and the rule of law.
The fact that al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist elements are
using the federally administered tribal areas to regroup, retain and
recruit for future attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a dangerous
component of instability that, when added to Pakistan's possession of
nuclear weapons, conjures up the frightening possibility of terrorists
with access to weapons of mass destruction.
All of this means that the United States and the rest of the
international community need to do all that we can to promote and
support Pakistan's economic, social and political development to
prevent Pakistan from becoming a failed state.
{time} 1030
The resolution before us today condemns Ms. Bhutto's assassination,
expresses condolences to her family and the families of the other
victims of the attacks, and reaffirms the commitment of the United
States to the people of Pakistan as they combat terrorism and work to
establish a free and democratic country. I urge all of our colleagues,
Madam Speaker, to support the resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this resolution condemns the assassination of former
Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirms the commitment of
the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating
terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
I would like to commend the author Mr. Ackerman and the distinguished
chairman of our committee Mr. Lantos for their leadership in
introducing this timely resolution.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of the United States and the
Congress, this resolution expresses our sympathy for the people of
Pakistan on the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto
last December 27. It should be noted that, in the immediate aftermath
of the attack, both the President and Secretary of State Rice
immediately extended condolences to the Bhutto family and the family of
others who were killed and wounded on that horrible day. And, as so
many observers have noted, Ms. Bhutto's death is a great loss to
Pakistan. As Secretary Rice stated, she was a woman of great courage
with an impressive commitment to democracy and to the future of
Pakistan itself.
Madam Speaker, as President Bush has emphasized, the perpetrators of
this terrible crime must be brought to justice. In this regard, the
Congress joins with the administration in welcoming the government of
Pakistan's decision to accept British assistance to the investigation
into Ms. Bhutto's death. We all hope that their actions to ensure a
credible and transparent investigation of the circumstances surrounding
Ms. Bhutto's death will help to restore calm, contribute to the
conditions needed for a free and fair election to take place, and bring
the perpetrators of her death to justice.
The assassination of the former Prime Minister and the apparent
attempt to destabilize Pakistan remind us again how consequential this
relationship is to American national interests and our own homeland
security. It is vital that we continue to seek to forge an enduring
relationship and partnership with a democratic, stable, and prosperous
Pakistan that remains a strong partner in the campaign against Islamic
militants and which maintains responsible control over its nuclear
weapons technology.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Pence) be permitted to manage the remainder of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. With that, I urge support for the resolution and
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).
Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, remembering a
true pioneer in the Muslim world. As the first woman to lead an Islamic
nation, Prime Minister Bhutto represented a great hope for Pakistan and
world peace.
I had a chance to meet with Benazir Bhutto when she came to the
United States to visit the John F. Kennedy Library back in the 1990s;
and I was hopeful that I would have the chance to meet her again on the
evening of her assassination when I was visiting Islamabad. Tragically,
I heard the news as I was on my way to go visit her that evening while
I was visiting Islamabad, and it was an evening obviously that I will
never forget. It was one of those moments that many people tell me
about when they recall my uncle's assassination. They say to me, ``I'll
never forget where I was when I heard the news.''
Madam Speaker, I often heard from people when I was over there when
they tell me about my uncle and how they had heard the news all the way
over in Pakistan over 40 years ago where they were when they heard the
news; and I can tell you, when I went and visited the headquarters of
her party after her assassination and visited the supporters of hers,
their heartbroken feelings were such that she was considered by them to
be part of their family. And it was something that I will never forget,
because she was much more than just a political leader in their view;
she was someone who was somewhat of an icon, a person who inspired a
nation much more than just as any ordinary political leader would. As
such, this assassination represents much more than just the killing of
a political leader; it represents the dashing of hopes and aspirations
of millions of Pakistanis.
So, I join my colleagues in this resolution to say that we in the
United States stand with our friends in Pakistan in joining in
solidarity with them, and ensuring that her death is not a death that
is going to be in vain, but, rather, that we are going to ensure that
this election is going to be an election that she would have hoped
would have been one that is transparent, fair, and would have lived up
to the hopes that she had for a free and fair Pakistan. That is what we
will all work for here in the United States and that I hope this
resolution will help to bring about.
Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support as an original cosponsor of House Resolution
912, condemning the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto, and reaffirming the commitment of the United States to
assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and
promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
Let me begin by commending the chairman of the subcommittee, on which
I serve as ranking member, for taking his usual efforts with speed and
sensitivity and professionalism to bring this resolution to the floor
forthwith. I also want to commend Chairman Lantos. And I would take
note of the presence of the Speaker of the House on the floor. This is
an important resolution for this Congress to embrace, and it is
important in the wake of this tragedy that it be the first thing this
Congress do in this year.
All of us, as we were enjoying time with our families in the
immediate aftermath for many of us of a memorable Christmas, we were
struck by the extraordinary and tragic events of 27 December 2007. As
my colleague, Mr. Kennedy, just said, some of us were closer to those
events at the time than others, but they were events that shattered the
hopes of the entire world for a move in the midst of our critical ally,
Pakistan, from a military dictatorship to democracy.
And while there is always second-guessing about decisions that were
made and policies that were made, let
[[Page H32]]
me say squarely, as does this resolution, the blame for this outrage,
the blame for this tragedy lies squarely with the assassins. They alone
are responsible for the horrific death of Benazir Bhutto. In fact, an
al Qaeda commander and spokesman, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, gloated to the
Italian news agency that they had ``terminated the most precious
American asset which vowed to defeat the mujahadeen.''
And, of course what makes this tragedy so moving and this
congressional action so timely is that the former Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto knew the stakes. She knew precisely the dangers into
which she was entering. In a late November interview even with Parade
magazine here in the States, she said, ``It is only now that America
has awakened to what we are already fighting, namely, Islamic
jihadists.''
As the ranking member of the full committee said moments ago,
eloquently, Secretary of State Rice called Benazir Bhutto ``a woman of
great courage.'' And courage is a word we throw around a lot in
political life, it seems, but it was in this moment that I was struck
with the reality of courage. Courage is not the absence of fear;
courage is action on one's principles in the midst of fear. One has to
know that this 54-year-old Harvard and Oxford graduate, giving up a
life of luxury in exile, knew the dangers that faced her and the mortal
peril in which she was walking on behalf of a free and democratic
Pakistan. One cannot fail but be moved by that. If there was any doubt,
then the immediate attack upon her on 18 October 2007, which left some
145 of her supporters dead, relieved all doubt of the danger in which
she was entering. And yet Benazir Bhutto, the first woman elected to
lead a Muslim country, went forward, continued to take the risk,
continued to advocate freedom, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
I will say that while I want to acknowledge her unapologetically
secular approach to leadership in government, I can't help, when I look
at Benazir Bhutto, to think that she will long be remembered with a
verse that comes out of a Christian tradition, which is, that greater
love has no man or, if I may, woman, than this than to lay down their
life for their friends.
Benazir Bhutto showed a love for the people of Pakistan. She showed a
love for freedom. And in this resolution, the United States of America
by its Congress will reaffirm to the people of Pakistan our commitment
to justice in this instance, and our commitment to see stability and
democracy reign in that critical ally.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the
distinguished Speaker of the House, Ms. Pelosi.
Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for
giving us this opportunity to express our sympathy and sadness and
recognize the tremendous contribution of Benazir Bhutto to the cause of
democracy.
Thank you, Mr. Ackerman and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, ranking
member of the full committee; Mr. Lantos and Mr. Pence for their giving
this opportunity to us as well and for their strong words and support
of democracy in Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto about 15 years ago came to this Chamber of Congress,
one of the first women ever to address a joint session of Congress.
Only in her thirties, I believe, at the time, she inspired us, she
filled us with hope, and the confidence which she projected gave us the
confidence that democracy could come to Pakistan. That was a while ago,
and much has transpired since then. She has been in and out and in
again as Prime Minister. And, as you know, when she returned to
Pakistan, it was to participate in an election to take Pakistan back
down the path to democracy.
Her return was courageous. Mr. Pence mentioned the word courageous.
It was courageous for many reasons. It is important to note that her
father and two of her brothers had been assassinated. They were victims
of political violence. And, of course, their family was dealt another
blow as were the people of Pakistan with the brutal assassination of
Benazir Bhutto.
She possessed a remarkable optimism about the future, a belief in the
power of dialogue, and a strong, strong commitment to democracy. She
was an advocate for reconciliation between Islamic and non-Islamic
societies, and outlined how that goal could be achieved. She not only
had a vision, she had a plan on how it would be done. The strength of
her message of hope has underscored how much we lost in her tragic
death.
In the days and the weeks that have followed Benazir Bhutto's death,
there has been little good news from Pakistan. The Musharraf government
continues to deny the Pakistani people a full accounting of the
assassination and the events that followed. There must be a strong
international investigation of this despicable crime. I acknowledge and
recognize that the government has accepted assistance from Scotland
Yard and the government of Great Britain. But the government has
delayed scheduled parliamentary elections while continuing to jail
democratic activists, suppress journalists, and shut out international
monitors. The Bush administration must continue to press the Pakistani
government to ensure that the coming election is free and fair.
{time} 1045
I think it is important to note, my colleagues and Madam Speaker,
that the 9/11 Commission recommendations, which were passed by this
body and were signed into law last year, condition U.S. assistance to
Pakistan on the cooperation of the Pakistani Government with global
efforts against terrorism.
Since 2001, Pakistan has received nearly $10 billion in U.S.
assistance. The Bush administration has repeatedly certified that our
assistance would facilitate Pakistan's transition to democracy. We
clearly have not seen enough progress in this area.
Troubling questions have been raised about our assistance to
Pakistan, that it has not been properly monitored and that the
Pakistani Government may be using it for purposes other than those
intended.
Last year, under the leadership of Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Ranking
Member Frank Wolf of the Foreign Operations Appropriations
Subcommittee, under their leadership, our legislation shifted economic
assistance for Pakistan from going directly to the Musharraf government
to going directly to the Pakistani people on the ground. Indeed, this
was a step forward and a recognition of the concerns that we had about
how that aid was being used in Pakistan.
I believe the best way for the United States to honor the legacy of
Benazir Bhutto is to renew our engagement directly with the people of
Pakistan. We urge the Musharraf government to implement democratic
reforms by restoring the Pakistani constitution, ensuring freedom of
expression and assembly, guaranteeing free and fair democratic
elections, and restoring an independent judiciary.
The opportunity that Mr. Ackerman and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Lantos
and Mr. Pence have given us today to give an overwhelming vote in
support of this resolution can tell the world that again we have gone
on record in support of the democratic hopes of the Pakistani people
and to pay tribute to the legacy of Benazir Bhutto.
I know I speak for all Members when I express my condolences to the
family of Benazir Bhutto, and also to all of the others who lost loved
ones in this tragic incidence of violence and assassination in
Pakistan.
Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the ranking member of
the legislative branch of the Appropriations Subcommittee, the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).
Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, I consider it a privilege to follow the
distinguished Speaker of the House in recognizing our support for the
people of Pakistan and our remorse that the world community of
peacemakers has lost the great Benazir Bhutto. I, too, considered her a
personal friend. I spent many hours with her, mostly associated with
the National Prayer Breakfast here.
During the years she was in exile, she came many times to our
National Prayer Breakfast, which is always the first Thursday in
February. She was a proud participant in the Islamic tradition.
However, she was always interested in the teachings of Jesus, and she
was very much fascinated by the concepts of forgiveness and
reconciliation,
[[Page H33]]
and the principles that the last would be first and basically the way
that the teachings of Jesus turned the world upside down. And we had
coffee with her. We had lunches with her. My wife and I had dinner with
her and her controversial husband and got to know him when he was here
the last time she was here and visited with us.
She was truly a courageous human being, someone who understood the
West, yet maintained her solid heartfelt conviction to her favorite
country, Pakistan. She spent a lot of time with us, and she truly was a
peacemaker.
I believe the greatest way to honor her courageous death would be for
us to work tirelessly to empower the moderates within Islam to stand
with us against radicalization, in any faith, frankly. But today,
particularly in the Islamic faith, the radicals threaten the world. Yet
92 percent of people within Islam believe that terrorism is not an
acceptable means to an end. And she was a leader among that 92 percent.
The problem is 8 percent of Islam is 130 million people who think
that terrorism is acceptable, and those are the people that killed her.
And they will kill anyone who threatens their ideology. And they killed
her.
We need to empower all of the moderates within this very large
religion to stand with us against the radicals, and then we can honor
her courageous death. She will live on though, really through eternity,
as one who, as Mike Pence said, was willing to lay down her life for a
friend.
I will quote another Christian idea. It is in the Beatitudes.
``Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of
Heaven.'' Benazir Bhutto was a peacemaker. She gave her life for a
cause, and the entire world should be grateful.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me offer my gratitude to
Chairman Ackerman and to his cosponsor, Mr. Pence, and our chairman of
the full committee, Mr. Lantos, for all of his leadership and certainly
his recognition as a peacemaker as well, and to the ranking member,
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.
I rise today with a great degree of somberness and, to a certain
extent, hopelessness. But I also rise to express my appreciation for
the life and the legacy of Benazir Bhutto. I also want to offer a
personal sympathy and acknowledgment to her husband, Mr. Zardari; her
son, Bilawal; and her daughters, Bakhtwar and Aseefa, for our families
mourn with you.
And I think it is important in the backdrop of one of the greatest
peacemakers' birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King, to place former Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto in her rightful place. I am glad my colleagues
called her a peacemaker. I call her a humanitarian and someone who was
willing to sacrifice her own life to push the envelope of democracy.
I hold in my hand the Washington Post today that has as a headline,
``Bhutto's last day in keeping with her driven life.'' It indicates a
quote that I think speaks to her life. It says, ``Wake up, my
brothers.'' That is why she was campaigning in such a frenzied manner.
That is why she was waving to her constituents and fellow brothers and
sisters as she left the place of her speech.
So I think it is important for us to make the very important note
that we should not victimize the victim. Her assassination was not her
fault. Everyone in a pressing democracy wants the ability to
communicate with those who you are trying to encourage to wake up.
Today we honor that bravery, that courage.
We say to the Pakistani Government, for this Nation to move forward,
there must be an enlisted and entrenched commitment to democracy. There
must be a full investigation of this assassination. It must be
determined whether al Qaeda had others beyond its reach to be involved
in what may have been a conspiracy. And yes, the leadership of the
Pakistan Government must ensure the security of all candidates going
forward for these elections. The elections must be ensured.
But we must thank former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto for her
legacy; that she was not concerned about her own safety, that she
wanted greatness and excellence for her country.
I joined with President Clinton in a visit some years ago when we met
President Musharraf, and there were great hopes that he would move his
country towards democracy. There were times that occurred. Now he must
show that he is sincere about this democracy and let the elections go
forward and let a democratic leader emerge from this election. At the
same time, he must of course make sure that the instruments of
democracy, the court system, the media, and all of those different
voices be heard, but it must be ensured that the government is in the
business of security and making that happen.
In speaking to Prime Minister Bhutto in the days and weeks before her
death, as I did, it was obvious that she was concerned about her
security, but she was concerned about the future of the people of
Pakistan. Again, a peacemaker, someone who put her life behind her love
and affection for this country.
And so we rise today to acknowledge the horrific tragedy, the fact
that her family has suffered such, and the fact that she was truly a
fighter globally. But there is a challenge that she knew that we had to
confront together, and that is the tribal areas in Pakistan. It is a
place where we must accept the collapse, if you will, of the foreign
policy efforts of this nation, for it is there where the Taliban is
resurging and there where al Qaeda may be strong, and it is there where
it is alleged that Osama bin Laden rests.
So this policy must begin to address what former Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto wanted us to address: the social and economic needs,
along with the security needs, of the Pakistani people. And it is my
call that we not give up on the Pakistani people or Pakistan. It is a
country that was founded on democratic principles. We must not give up
on the Pakistani people around the world and Pakistani Americans. They
want democracy. Those in my community want democracy for their nation,
and my constituents in Houston, Texas, are calling me every day so we
can come together to find a way to put Pakistan on the path to
democracy.
Sleep well, my good friend, former Prime Minister Bhutto. We owe you
an enormous debt of gratitude, and deepest sympathy to your family. But
our commitment is that your lust and love for peace will never be
forgotten. We owe you that in our tribute and our words and actions and
deeds. May all rest in peace, in you, a great and wonderful leader.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 912,
introduced by my distinguished colleague Mr. Ackerman. I am proud to be
an original cosponsor of this bipartisan resolution, which condemns the
assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and
reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist the people of
Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free and
democratic Pakistan. I express my sincere condolences to Ms. Bhutto's
husband, Asif Ali Zardari, and her children, Bilawal, Bakhtwar, and
Aseefa. I would like to thank my colleague Mr. Ackerman for introducing
this resolution, and I would like to commend Mr. Lantos for his
leadership on Pakistan as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
As my colleagues are aware, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir
Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, as she left a peaceful
political rally, in an attack which also killed over 20 innocent
bystanders. Ms. Bhutto's death came 2 months after she returned to
Pakistan from exile and was immediately attacked in a suicide bombing
that killed over 130 people, and just over 2 weeks before Pakistan's
democratic elections were scheduled to occur.
It is with deep sadness that I mourn the passing of former Pakistani
Prime Minister Bhutto. Ms. Bhutto was a woman and a leader who pursued
excellence and greatness for her country, putting the needs of her
nation above concerns for her own safety. As co-chair of the
Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I had the opportunity to speak with Ms.
Bhutto several times in recent months, and I was always struck by her
commitment to remaining in Pakistan, despite attacks and threats on her
life. Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan in October 2007 came in the
midst of an explosion that would have driven away anyone of lesser
heart. She left the relative security of family life in Dubai to return
to her homeland, determined to see democratic processes and
institutions grow in Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto was one of the world's most high-profile female
leaders, and she rose to prominence amidst a male-dominated political
hierarchy. After gaining her education at Harvard and Oxford, Ms.
Bhutto followed her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, into politics. Like
her
[[Page H34]]
father, she served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, holding the office
from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. Also like her father,
she was violently killed for her convictions, her dedication to her
country, and her unwillingness to hide in the shadows upon her return
to Pakistan.
The assassination of Ms. Bhutto is a horrific tragedy for Pakistan
and for the world. It is essential that her killers be brought to
justice immediately. This is an extremely critical time for the nation
of Pakistan, with elections that had been expected in early January now
scheduled for February 18, 2008. Pakistan has seen serious political
instability throughout the past year, weathering approximately 60
suicide bomb attacks, which killed nearly 800 people over the course of
the year.
Pakistan continues to be an important ally in the global fight
against terrorism. I am particularly worried about the security of
Pakistan's leaders and people, and I believe that we must examine the
measures that are being undertaken to ensure their safety. As co-chair
of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I have long advocated the need to
ensure that Pakistan is stabilized, and that its leaders and people are
protected.
According to the United States Department of State, Pakistan
currently has 85,000 troops stationed along the border with
Afghanistan. Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for South
and Central Asian Affairs, recently noted that Pakistan has ``captured
more al-Qaeda than any country in the world, and lost more people doing
that.'' Pakistani authorities have also killed or captured several top
Taliban commanders in this area in recent months.
Prime Minister Bhutto's assassination is a great blow to the
democratic process in Pakistan. The international community must work
together with the Pakistani government to ensure that those responsible
for this brutal crime are brought to justice. In addition, we must
stand with the people of Pakistan during this turbulent time, and,
together, work together against our common enemy: terrorism.
Benazir Bhutto was a truly courageous woman, and a true leader for
her nation and the world. Her violent and untimely death is a true
tragedy, and I join with the people of Pakistan, as well as my
colleagues here in Congress, in mourning the passing of an
extraordinary leader, as well as those who died in the December 17th
attack with her.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, paying
tribute to former Prime Minister Bhutto, condemning her assassination,
supporting Pakistani and international efforts to bring her murderers
to justice, and reaffirming our commitment to a free and democratic
Pakistan, standing strong against our mutual enemy of terrorism.
Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to a member of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs and original cosponsor of this resolution,
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding,
and I also thank Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Lantos and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for
sponsoring this resolution.
On December 27, 2007, the world reeled as it received news that a
suicide terrorist and others had assassinated Pakistan's freedom
fighter and beacon of democracy, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, during a peaceful
political rally.
She was educated in the tradition of western democratic philosophy,
and received her higher education training at Oxford and Harvard
University. She has been the voice in support of a democratic Pakistan
for more than 20 years.
In 1988, at the age of 35, she became the youngest person and the
first female elected to lead a Muslim state. Since that time, Ms.
Bhutto has remained committed to the restoration of a true democracy in
Pakistan. When Ms. Bhutto returned to Pakistan last year, she knew she
was putting her life at risk because, Madam Speaker, the violent
enemies of democracy throughout the world are numerous. But her
commitment to democracy in Pakistan was stronger than her fear of
death.
As the daughter of a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bhutto used
to say she did not choose her life but that it chose her instead. The
truth is she chose freedom and democracy, and her love for those
principles compelled her continuous bold, even boisterous voice of
democracy for the Pakistani people.
Ms. Bhutto has been described as a defiant and strong-willed leader.
In life and in death, her charisma and determination have been admired
by people throughout the world.
She was a beacon of democracy in Pakistan, and I join my colleagues
in condemning her assassination with the expectation that the current
government will seek out and find all of the assassins.
Pakistan has been a loyal ally and friends of the United States since
1947.
{time} 1100
The United States stands with the people of Pakistan. We affirm our
commitment to the Pakistani people in combating terrorism and promoting
a free and democratic Pakistan. The long lamentable history of human
conduct is filled with the names of martyrs who have been murdered for
the cause of freedom. Today, we add the name of one more.
And that's just the way it is.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Is the gentleman from Indiana seeking to recognize
further speakers?
Mr. PENCE. I thank the gentleman for his courtesy. I have no
additional speakers, but would reserve the right to close for a minute
or two.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Proceed.
Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to rise again to express my strong support of this resolution
and urge as near a unanimous adoption of this resolution as this
Congress can muster.
I want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) for his
swift and sympathetic and thoughtful legislative workmanship on this
measure. As I said before, I think, given the tragic events of 27
December 2007, it is important that this Congress be heard on a
resolution condemning this assassination, and it is important that it
be the first substantive measure that this Congress takes up. And I
commend Mr. Ackerman, the chairman of the committee Mr. Lantos, and
Speaker Pelosi for facilitating that, as I do my colleagues on the
committee in the minority.
This resolution condemns in the strongest possible terms the
assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. It
supports efforts by Pakistan to bring to justice those who have
perpetrated this cruel and cowardly act. It welcomes the provision of
assistance by the government of the United Kingdom, and it commends the
government of Pakistan for accepting such assistance.
In addition, it urges the people and the government of Pakistan to be
relentless in their pursuit of a democratically elected government,
including the holding of free and fair elections at the earliest
possible opportunity. It urges support for a free media.
And perhaps in the seventh paragraph, as I close, Madam Speaker, it,
this resolution, which I hope and trust will be unanimously adopted
today, reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist the
people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free
and democratic Pakistan.
I quote again the words of the late and, no one would argue, great
Benazir Bhutto who said just this fall in an American magazine, ``It's
only now that America has awakened to what we were already fighting,
Islamic jihadists.''
I believe the greatest legacy that Benazir Bhutto could leave is not
only a legacy of a democratically elected government in her country,
but it would be a legacy of a further awakening in the world to the
threat that free societies and those that seek to be free face from
radical Islamic jihadists. If her legacy can be not only progress for
her people toward democracy, but progress in the free world to renewing
our determination to confront those who oppose our way of life with
violence, both in support of the Pakistani Government and in places
like Afghanistan and Iraq, if I might add, then that would be a
powerful and meritorious legacy indeed.
I urge support of all of my colleagues for this important resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ACKERMAN. I would like to thank Mr. Pence, Mr. Lantos, Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen, all those who participated in this discussion. I don't think
we can call it a debate. I think all of the indications that we have
heard today indicate that we are on the same side on this.
I would urge unanimous support for the resolution.
Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my anger and
sadness regarding the assassination of former Prime
[[Page H35]]
Minister Benazir Bhutto. The horrific murder of Prime Minister Bhutto
is a chilling reminder that extremist forces are continually trying to
undermine democracy and freedom. Today, we stand with the democrats in
Pakistan and throughout the world to oppose tyranny and terrorism.
Benazir Bhutto was the first woman elected to lead a Muslim state and
served twice as Prime Minister of Pakistan. I had the distinct honor
and privilege to meet her when she spoke to members of the House
International Relations Committee during the mid-1990's in an ornate
ceremonial room just one floor below this rostrum. Her accomplishment
paved the way for other women leaders to seek and win top offices
throughout the developing world. Bhutto's dedication to democracy in
Pakistan is closely tied to the time she spent as a student in the
United States. In fact, she credits her exposure to America as a
driving force behind her push for a free Pakistan.
Former Prime Minister Bhutto was also no stranger to the good people
of Illinois' 16th Congressional District. In 2002, she spoke to an
overflow audience at Rockford College about the link between promoting
democracy and defeating extremist terrorists. I know I speak for the
people of northern Illinois in expressing our heartfelt gratitude that
she visited Rockford. Bhutto's speech was inspirational and
enlightening. I enclose for the Record the article titled, ``Ex-Premier
Pushes U.S. to Aid Democracy Fight'' from the Rockford Register Star,
published on September 20, 2002, discussing Bhutto's historic remarks
at Rockford College.
Pakistan must continue its journey to political reform and democracy.
The United States must stand with those who advocate for the
fundamental freedoms that were bestowed onto all of us by our creator.
Let's not forget Bhutto's legacy and stand with the people of Pakistan
in this dark hour.
[From the Rockford Register Star, Sept. 20, 2002]
Ex-Premier Pushes U.S. To Aid Democracy Fight
Rockford.--Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
said Thursday that people of her country support her battle
to bring democracy to Pakistan. She wants President Bush to
help.
The deposed leader--who at age 35 became the first female
prime minister in the Muslim world--continues her efforts,
made more important in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks.
Bhutto remains critical of the regime of Gen. Pervez
Musharraf, who has controlled the country since 1999. She is
an author and active in the Pakistan People's Party, the
country's largest, pro-democracy party.
``I support democracy in Pakistan and, with the war on
terrorism, there is a new commitment to bringing democracy to
the Muslim world and the empowering of the Muslim people
based on fundamental human rights,'' she said.
Bhutto planned to share this message later Thursday night
with a sold-out crowd at Maddox Theatre at Rockford College.
Additional crowds were seated in the Cheek Theatre and dance
studio to watch a live television feed of Bhutto's
presentation.
Bhutto's visit kicked off the 2002-03 Rockford College
Forum Series, a program of speakers and workshops focused on
the politics and culture of Islam.
Bhutto acknowledged that she hasn't met with Bush about
bringing democracy to her home country but ``other U.S.
officials'' assured her that the United States remains
committed to fostering democracy in Pakistan.
``I want President Bush to say `Look, you've been our ally,
and we want to help bring democracy because democracy doesn't
promote terrorism,' '' she said.
Her determination to see Pakistan become a democracy began
after she completed her education at Radcliffe College and
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, in the late 1970s.
Bhutto was born June 21, 1953, in Karachi, Pakistan. In
1977, at age 24, she returned home and took up the struggle
to restore democracy and human rights in the country as a
leader of the Pakistan People's Party.
Bhutto faced imprisonment and exile while guiding the
resistance to Pakistan's military regime.
Her government was replaced by opposing political forces in
1990, but Bhutto was again elected prime minister in 1993 and
served until 1996, when the government was overthrown by a
military coup.
``My leadership was of different vision than the
conservatives. It was dictatorship vs. democracy.''
Jeff Hendry, chairman of the forum series committee, said
Bhutto's visit was ``huge, especially now with all the news
in that part of the world.''
In her speech: ``she will deal with the international
political climate and deal more with what the U.S. can do and
should be doing to bring democracy to Pakistan as well as the
strategic importance of the region,'' he said.
What she said
The Register Star asked Benazir Bhutto:
Is Osama bin Laden dead? ``It's 50-50, and it's anybody's
guess. I thought for a while if he was dead, there had to be
certain funeral ceremonies done for the soul, but maybe he
was killed and nobody knew. He could be playing dead and he
could pop in the next five years. But if he's hiding, it
would probably be in the mountains of Afghanistan.''
How the people of Pakistan view the United States:
``Pakistan has mixed feelings toward the U.S. It's like a
love-hate relationship. They see it as a land of opportunity
and power and to them, they feel they are powerless. They
like the power the U.S. has, but they hate their own
powerlessness.''
Have the Pakistani people been treated differently in the
United States since the terrorist attacks? ``I have respect
largely in the area of academia. I have talked to students
who have said Americans came to them and asked `Are you OK?'
Other stories I hear from big cities are of hate crimes and
of some men who have shaved their beards off in fear of being
targeted. But President Bush is right when he says Pakistan
is safe here. I hear others say, `We are Americans, and
please accept us as the way we are.' ''
Mr. ACKERMAN. Having no additional speakers, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 912.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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