US cautioned Pak over threat to Bhutto's life

Weeks before the killing of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, the Bush administration had provided her as well as Pakistani authorities with intelligence about possible threat to her life from extremists.

The intelligence provided to Bhutto was furnished by the US embassy in Islamabad, an American official told the 'Los Angeles Times' on condition of anonymity. Along with information about possible threats to her, the Americans provided security advice on ways to reduce risks to her life.

The US official said the Americans were aware that Bhutto faced serious dangers, especially in the light of an earlier attempt on her life, a bombing during her homecoming rally in Karachi on October 18.

Americans also ''reiterated'' that the Musharraf government needed to make vigorous attempts to avert dangers to her, the official said.

Quoting US lawmakers and other officials and Bhutto's supporters, the report claimed that President Pervez Musharraf had rebuffed US entreaties for beefed-up security and that the US officials were reluctant to press Musharraf too hard.

Nonetheless, the decision to provide intelligence to an opposition candidate in a country headed by a strong American ally reflects US recognition of the gravity of the threat Bhutto faced as she sought to reclaimthe power in the Pakistana the paper said.

Courtesy:ndtv.com
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