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U.S. Checking al Qaeda Claim of Killing Bhutto
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ShareDecember 27, 2007 11:47 AM
While al Qaeda is considered by the U.S. to be a likely suspect in the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Banazir Bhutto, U.S. intelligence officials say they cannot confirm an initial claim of responsibility for the attack, supposedly from an al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan.
An obscure Italian Web site said Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, al Qaeda's commander in Afghanistan, told its reporter in a phone call, "We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat [the] mujahedeen."
It said the decision to assassinate Bhutto was made by al Qaeda's No. 2 leader, Ayman al Zawahri in October. Before joining Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, Zawahri was imprisoned in Egypt for his role in the assassination of then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
Bhutto had been outspoken in her opposition to al Qaeda and had criticized the government of President Pervez Musharraf for failing to take strong action against the Islamic terrorists.
"She openly threatened al Qaeda, and she had American support," said ABC News consultant Richard Clarke, the former White House counterterrorism adviser. "If al Qaeda could try to kill Musharraf twice, it could easily do this," he said.
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Al Qaeda had claimed responsibility for the bomb attack Oct. 18 during Bhutto's homecoming rally that killed 140 people but left the former prime minister uninjured.
Senior U.S. officials say it will take several days to sort out who was responsible and that it will be "a test of credibility for the Pakistani government."
U.S. officials monitoring Internet chat rooms known to be used by Islamic militants say several claims of responsibility have been posted, although such postings are notoriously unreliable.
In a statement Thursday night, an FBI spokesman said that there are "no specific threats" against the U.S. in web postings reviewed by the bureau.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
This post has been updated.
December 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (393)
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ok, this has all the signs of crap. No matter what comes out now, AlQueada has been associated with this. Welcome back to the politics of fear. Next, we will hear how someone admitted of this plot under torture and that if we had been allowed to be more aggressive with it we might have found something out sooner.
Posted by: Louis | Dec 27, 2007 12:10:48 PM
I think Bush did it.
Posted by: Mike | Dec 27, 2007 12:15:38 PM
I think Al-Qaeda may have overreached on this one. WW I started like this and this may stir a wave of anger against Al-Qaeda that brings about retaliation and tips on their where-abouts.
One can only hope. Ms Bhutto was truly courageous and the only way her death will not have been in vain is to bring Al-Qaeda to their knees.
Posted by: boB | Dec 27, 2007 12:17:28 PM
Do we still have doubts about the evil of Islamic Terrorism?
Posted by: maryo | Dec 27, 2007 12:18:02 PM
A perfect excuse from the White House to enter in Pakistan????? How many american kids will die now? How many troops will be send to Pakistan?? How many mothers will be crying? Please, my friends No more War...no more suffering.
Posted by: norma | Dec 27, 2007 12:24:34 PM
It doesn't require a brave or intelligent man to blow himself up...only a moron that listens to the likes of Bin Laden. These idiots have bastardized the Isalmic faith. It's time for reasonable, peaceful Muslims to destroy these cretins.
Posted by: Scott E. | Dec 27, 2007 12:29:52 PM
Why don't you do a story on the positive gains in Iraq? Of ocurse we can't have the masses understanding we are winning in Iraq. The media is tool to be used as a positive or negatvie force. The media screwed us - the soldiers in Nam and I am damn glad you didn't get away with it in Iraq!
Posted by: mark predovic | Dec 27, 2007 12:34:24 PM
A weasel farm seems appropriate.
Posted by: Russell | Dec 27, 2007 12:35:10 PM
I think Mike is an idiot.
Posted by: Dave | Dec 27, 2007 12:44:56 PM
Yep, Bush did it.
Posted by: RJ | Dec 27, 2007 12:45:57 PM
PCHH, THEY DONT LIKE WOMEN MEDDLING IN POLITICS OVER THERE. WAS SHE ANOTHER PUPPET POLITICAN?
Posted by: BILLY BOB | Dec 27, 2007 12:46:19 PM
It was Global Warming, and Bush's fault.
Posted by: TimInLasVegas | Dec 27, 2007 12:46:50 PM
Absurd! Bush was too busy creating global warming. Everyone with bad skin, a blog and the complete X-Files DVD box set knows that. Check your facts... or are you a plant?
Posted by: Bizarro Mike | Dec 27, 2007 12:49:33 PM
inside job. Pakistan/Al Qaeda: What a cesspool of unevoled ego's and small, frightened men
Posted by: futureshock | Dec 27, 2007 12:49:35 PM
It's only a matter of time now...The War on Terror has evolved into Pakistan. They had better let us in....We have some work to do.
Posted by: Joe | Dec 27, 2007 12:49:50 PM
I don't think it really needs a huge "investigation" to determine who is responsible, al Qaeda has been talking about killing her for quite some time now.
Posted by: eddie | Dec 27, 2007 12:50:56 PM
The religion of 'peace' strikes again. Terrible day for the world.
Posted by: Doug | Dec 27, 2007 12:51:03 PM
Man made global warming is to blame.
Posted by: Todd | Dec 27, 2007 12:52:15 PM
What a sad day for Pakistan. I might not have agreed with her politically or questioned her motives for returning to Pakistan but Bhutto didn't deserve to die like this. There will be the inevitable scapegoat/blame game chase regarding who was responsible.
There will be those saying that Musharref, Pres. Bush, American politicians, or other democratic leaders were responsible for her death. Let's keep in mind who actually is responsible: the ignorant and hate-filled extremists/terrorists who inhabit Pakistan as well as their enablers. My heart goes out to those killed/hurt in this tragic incident and may the culprits be brought to justice.
Posted by: Erin | Dec 27, 2007 12:52:25 PM
This terrible crime will throw a spotlight on the American candidates for President and may reverse the domestic tilt that success in Iraq has enabled the candidates to stress over the last couple of months. Foreign policy expertise will once again come to the fore as a necessary qualification for a nominee of a major party. This may also temporarily derail a third party bid by Bloomberg or Ron Paul.
Posted by: daveinboca | Dec 27, 2007 12:53:06 PM
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