Benazir Bhutto felled by The American Kiss of Death

The tragedy of Benazir's assassination could be attributed to the American desire to impose a Fast-paced democracy on Pakistan. They got tired of supporting Musharaff and struck a deal with Benazir to be their person in Pakistan. But the American Embrace and Kiss are always a Kiss of Death for anyone in a country like Pakistan.

America has been a player for too long there, propping up an Army Despot and alienating the ordinary people and the revolutionaries. Poor Benazir, she did not read the signs on the streets properly and might have thought that she could resurrect her image with American help and money. But it played out in a more deadly way for her.

It appears that Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the assassination, but they also may be taking advantage of an act they wish they had done. The real perps may be hiding in the Army, who knows.

I have a feeling that Benazir's assassination was an opportunity seized by the gunman. He was positioned there but Benazir gave him the chance when she stuck her neck out of the sun-roof. The real terrorist event planned and executed might have been the bomb-explosion. The gun-man might have taken the chance and shot Benazir when she stood up and presented an easy target. The assassination probably was not pre-planned. The bomb-explosion a few feet away did not hurt anyone else in Benazir's van or her alternative van behind. Out of the people in these important vehicles, only Benazir was killed, that too because she stood up.

All that is now left is for America to contemplate one more failed Foreign Policy Initiative for which Benazir had to sacrifice her life. Musharaff may have all the reasons now to postpone the elections. And it may be right to have a cooling-off period to let the emotions and hatred settle down a bit.

And the Lesson here is Stop listening to America and don't do things to suit American needs. Pakistanis are capable of sorting out the mess themselves without Western assistance. If at all any outside help is required they can take it from the Muslim Community of Middle East.

Americans are not Friends in need or Friends indeed.

Meanwhile the Army may have an internal coup and Musharaff could be removed and replaced by another General, more civil and acceptable. Then everyone, including USA first, will fall behind the new leader.