Benazir Bhutto Becomes an Icon of Democracy

The following editorial appeared in the Miami Herald on Friday, Dec. 28:

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a profoundly sad event and a deeply worrisome portent of trouble. Bhutto could have lived a life of comfort in exile, but she chose to return home because she could see that the dictatorship of Pervez Musharraf was creating recruits for the Islamic fundamentalists who want to seize control of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenal.

By demanding free elections, she dared to make enemies on all sides. For that she paid the ultimate price.

It is impossible to separate Benazir Bhutto the champion of democracy from Benazir Bhutto the flawed ex-prime minister whose two terms in office were marred by accusations of corruption. But there can be no doubt that she personified the democratic aspirations of millions of Pakistanis of all classes. She was willing to take her chances despite dangerous odds in a valiant effort to satisfy those aspirations. For that, she deserves enormous credit and the wealth of tributes her death has inspired.

Bhutto’s death could not be more untimely. Pakistan is slated to have a round of elections on Jan. 8 that hold the key to the future. As the most-prominent member of the opposition, she was widely expected to win at least a share of power.

That would have opened the way for a return to full democracy, which extremists most fear. Without her, the Pakistan People’s Party has been orphaned, but now its adherents must show that their aspirations are based on genuine ideals and not a single personality.

Postponing elections would play into the hands of those who say Pakistan isn’t ready for democracy.

The biggest threat in Pakistan comes from Islamic extremism, a menace that Bhutto well understood.

“I put my life in danger and came here because I feel this country is in danger,” she said in her final political address. Her murder underscores the dangers of al-Qaeda and Islamic fundamentalists, the likely culprits, and … along with Pakistan’s supply of nuclear weapons … offers ample reason for the United States to re-focus its attention on that country. The Bush administration must use its influence with Pakistan’s leaders to keep the elections on track.

Musharraf can turn this crisis to Pakistan’s advantage by creating a grass-roots mandate for the elimination of terrorism. But first, he must hold elections and respect the outcome. It would be the best way to pay tribute to a woman who loved Pakistan and has now become its icon of democracy.

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(c) 2007, The Miami Herald.

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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PHOTOS (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): Benazir Bhutto

GRAPHICS (from MCT Graphics, 202-383-6064): Benazir Bhutto

ARCHIVE CARICATURE on MCT Direct (from MCT Faces in the News Library, 202-383-6064): Benazir Bhutto

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