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Benazir Bhutto Assassinated

Aired December 27, 2007 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: She had been a ruler and she had been a prisoner, a leader and a pariah, a would-be savior, and a threat.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Today, Benazir Bhutto is dead. And the world wonders, what will now become of Pakistan?

Hi there. I'm Brianna Keilar at CNN Center in Atlanta.

LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

At least 22 other people died in today's attack that killed Benazir Bhutto. Many others were hurt. Now, they were rushed to a hospital less than two miles away.

And CNN producer Mohsin Naqvi is there. And he joins us by telephone.

Describe the scene when you got there, Mohsin.

MOHSIN NAQVI, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, there were some reports about some security problems at the Karachi residence, but after that comment, provided her dozens of security men, including some policemen also, at her residence.

But on the other side, she was more worried about these suicide attacks. And she mentioned several times about these. And they wrote a letter two weeks back also about requesting for the jammers which she was asking for. And she was more worried about her security in these public rallies other than those at her residence.

She definitely -- there was a letter which was written by her security adviser to the provincial government, in which they mention about some security problems. But we talked to her several times. And every time when we were talking with her, she was mentioning about and she was worried about her security in these public rallies.

LEMON: OK. And I want to talk to you about it, because President Pervez Musharraf is saying that he's considering postponing the parliamentary elections that are to happen with just -- I think it's just eight days out.

So, I want to talk you now about Nawaz Sharif. Apparently, he is saying that he's going to boycott these elections. And there we have pictures of him at the hospital there a little bit earlier. What are you hearing anything about Pervez Musharraf and also about one of the candidates in this parliamentary election apparently boycotting it?

NAQVI: We have to see what Pakistan People's Party will decide about this election.

We know that the Pakistan People's Party, the whole leadership is mentally disturbed. They were not even thinking of this kind of episode that Benazir Bhutto will get killed. So we are waiting for what the Pakistan People's Party will decide.

There's a lot of pressure on Musharraf now, what he will do, although Nawaz Sharif has already said a little while back that he will be boycotting this coming election. But the main thing is what People's Party will decide. And I think President Musharraf will go -- decide after.

LEMON: And, Mohsin, you know what? We're hearing that Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stopped by the hospital. We know he's boycotting the election, but he stopped by the hospital today. Do you have any information about that?

NAQVI: Yes.

We witnessed that. When this was officially announced that Benazir was killed in this suicidal attack, Nawaz Sharif immediately came to general hospital, where we were also there and we witnessed that. He went to that room. He met those doctors and he gave a short statement in which he said he's feeling sad as a member of Pakistan, as a Pakistani citizen.

He was there for a little while, and then he left. And he has announced now a little while back that he will be boycotting these coming elections -- Don.

LEMON: All right. Mohsin Naqvi, a CNN producer on the ground, we appreciate your reporting. We will be checking back with you, I'm sure, throughout the day and the coming days here on CNN. Thanks again.

KEILAR: Benazir Bhutto's assassination is a serious blow to U.S. hopes for political stability in Pakistan, of course, a U.S. ally in the war on terror. President Bush strongly condemned the attack from his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Let's go now to CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry. He's in Crawford.

And the president spoke with Musharraf a short time ago, right, Ed?

ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Brianna.

In fact, President Bush so concerned about the situation on the ground in Pakistan, he has now reached out to President Musharraf, placed that phone call just in the last couple of hours. As you noted, Musharraf is key to the president's war on terror, and the White House reiterating that he is a key ally in that war.

And you have seen those dramatic pictures all day, the chaos on the streets of Pakistan. White House spokesman Scott Stanzel here in Crawford told reporters that the White House is concerned that there could be more violence, that this could get worse.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT STANZEL, WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY: ... a risk of people turning to violence to express their anger.

And we would urge calm and hope that all the Pakistanis would mourn her death, celebrate her life, and unite together in opposition to the types of extremists that are trying to stop the march of democracy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: So, the White House calling for some calm there on the streets of Pakistan.

As for another big question looming, obviously, is whether or not these elections scheduled for January 8 will move forward or not, whether they should be postponed. Stanzel saying the White House basically does not have a position on whether they should be postponed, but they feel that there should be free and fair elections in Pakistan, no matter when they actually happen -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Thanks, Ed -- Ed Henry there for us in Crawford, Texas, with the president.

And hours before she was killed, Benazir Bhutto met privately with the visiting Afghan president, Hamid Karzai. Now, after the attack, he met with reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN: I met with her this morning. I found her to be a very, very brave woman with a clear vision for her own country, for Afghanistan, and for the region. We in Afghanistan condemn this act of cowardice and immense brutality in the strongest possible terms.

She sacrificed her life for the sake of Pakistan and for the sake of this region.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Karzai arrived in Islamabad yesterday for a two-day visit to Pakistan. He also met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

And now we want to re-cue some sound that we have from a short time ago. We spoke with John Moore, a photographer from Getty Images. He was just 20 yards from Benazir Bhutto when she was assassinated earlier today.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MOORE, GETTY IMAGES: Well, Brianna, you know, the vehicle was moving very slowly, because the crowd was all around, and it was pushing through. She clearly wanted to get close to her people.

I was very surprised that she was coming out of the sunroof of this car, considering what happened in Karachi a while back. And I had been photographing her pushing through the crowd. And the vehicle sort of surged forward. And I got out of the way and moved a little bit ahead of it.

And, suddenly -- well, I turned around and heard three shots go off, and saw her go down, fall down through the sunroof down into the car. And, just at that moment, I raised my camera and started photographing with the high-speed motor drive. And that's how I was ability to capture some of the explosion when it went off and then the aftermath.

Now, as far as where she was shot, how many times was she shot, was it the same person who blew himself up, this I cannot really say. There is some speculation that it was possibly a sniper as well as a suicide bomber, but this I cannot say.

KEILAR: So, give us a sense -- if we can get back to the photograph -- here we are -- of the moments right before the assassination. You were obviously in front of the vehicle. Do you have a sense of where the shots were fired from? We are looking at that photo that you took. Is this coming from the right of the car, the left of the car? Do you know?

MOORE: I suspect that it was coming from the right-hand side of the photograph. The left was the grounds, the park where she had been having her campaign rally, which was a secure area.

So it either must have come from behind or probably to the right- hand side. And I heard I think two or three shots. It may have been more. Obviously, there was a lot of chaos. As you can see, the photo is a bit blurry, because I was being shoved around. The crowd was pushing. They were very emotional. And it was -- it was a bit chaotic even before the blast went off.

KEILAR: And how far away from the car were you when you heard the shots? And also how far away were you from the explosion when it went off?

MOORE: Well, the shots were immediately followed by the explosion, and I was probably about 20 yards away at that point. I had moved a little ahead of the car, just because it was surging forward, and I didn't want to get hit. But I must have been about 20 -- 20 yards away.

KEILAR: And describe the aftermath. Obviously, we can see -- we're seeing a photo now of a wounded man being carried away. We saw a photo just a short time ago of someone obviously wailing. Just describe the different reactions people were having.

MOORE: Well, of course, people were scattered all about. People were in different states of medical crisis.

Some could still walk. Others were blown to bits. Others were maimed and just crying out for help. There was one man who really just lost control of all of his emotions, and he wandered amidst the wounded and the dead for five or 10 minutes, crying and raising his arms to the skies. And he just couldn't believe it.

And it was just a horrible scene. The carnage was just everywhere.

KEILAR: And, before we let you go, John, because I know you're there in Islamabad, we heard from someone else that Islamabad, as well as Karachi, now experiencing near-riot conditions. What are you seeing on the streets there?

MOORE: I have not been out myself this evening.

However, I have heard a lot of the same things. I am heading down to Karachi tomorrow morning myself. Her funeral will be held in her hometown of Larkana, which is some drive from Karachi. And, so, a number of journalists will be heading down and covering the next step of the story, which unfortunately carries on. And it's all a tragedy.

KEILAR: All right, John Moore, Getty Images, photographer there in Islamabad, Pakistan, please stay safe. Thank you so much for joining us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Just amazing images coming out of there. And imagine being at the scene, Brianna, when it happened. And, of course, he turned his camera around right away and he said he put it on the automatic and started taking the pictures of all the reactions.

KEILAR: And it was interesting how he said he was surprised that she came out of the sunroof. Obviously, just as a bystander, he felt it wasn't a safe situation. He recalls thinking that that was sort of a strange thing to do or surprising that she did that.

LEMON: No doubt there's going to be some question about that.

KEILAR: Of course.

LEMON: Why did she do it, especially after October, an assassination attempt on her life, where others died in that?

But let's move on and talk about the United Nations, because obviously there is shock and outrage over Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

And our CNN U.N. correspondent Richard Roth is there. Richard, tell us about the response from the U.N.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, diplomats are used to these types of chaos and crises around the world.

But you could tell today, the nature, the person who was attacked, that it took -- it stung some of the diplomats here. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Khalilzad was visibly shaken, mourning the loss he says of someone who was a friend to him.

The Security Council issued a statement, all 15 countries agreeing on a country condemning the terrorist attack at the hands of extremists, the Security Council said. The Council, along with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, urging calm and restraint among the people of Pakistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BAN KI-MOON, UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL: I'm shocked and outraged by the nation of former Prime Minister Mrs. Benazir Bhutto and many other civilians, people who have been killed by these terrorist suicide bombings.

I call upon the government authorities to bring perpetrators to justice. And I condemn, in the strongest of possible terms, this assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The current president of the Security Council, the Italian ambassador, said it was unacceptable what happened. The Council has to say something. It's a threat to international peace and security.

But, Don, there are limits to the effectiveness of what the U.N. can do during these types of internal crises inside a country, a member country of the U.N.

LEMON: Richard Roth, thanks so much.

KEILAR: The Bhutto family has ties around the world, including right here in the United States.

Coming up, we are going to speak with a CNN I-Reporter who happens to be a relative of the fallen leader.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Sixteen past the hour.

Three of the stories we're working on for you here in the CNN NEWSROOM: authorities investigating. We will have that story in a little bit.

But court appearances are scheduled later today for two suspects in the slayings of six people outside of Seattle. One of those suspects is reportedly the 29-year-old daughter of two of the victims, while the other suspect is identified as the daughter's boyfriend.

And the 13-year-old girl who survived this week's plane crash in Panama is reunited with her parents. Francesca Lewis is being treated for a fractured arm and some cuts, and doctors are doing tests to make sure nothing else is wrong.

Authorities investigating the Christmas day tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo suspect the animal may have been provoked. "The San Francisco Chronicle" reports, police found a shoe and blood inside the tiger's habitat, raising the possibility someone was taunting it.

Moments ago, we heard from San Francisco authorities at a news conference.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HEATHER FONG, SAN FRANCISCO POLICE CHIEF: Saying, "Help me, help me," and next to that victim they saw a tiger seated there.

The tiger suddenly turned and began to attack the victim again here in front of the Terrace Cafe. At that point, a second unit, a marked unit, came up at the Terrace Cafe also accompanied by zoo staff. And at that time, the officers exited their vehicles and tried to distract the tiger.

The tiger was distracted. He then -- or the tiger then started moving toward the plainclothes officers. At that point all the officers fired, because they did not know where that tiger was going. They knew that there had been one attack here. They also knew that there had been a deceased person back here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Just a short time ago, we showed you an I-Report that we received from Faisal Bhutto. He's a member of Bhutto family. He moved here to the U.S. in 1999. And he's joining us now from Houston, Texas.

Now, Faisal, your father was Benazir Bhutto's cousin. Can you just tell us, what does this mean to your family? What does this mean for the people of Pakistan?

FAISAL BHUTTO, RELATIVE OF BENAZIR BHUTTO: It's a great loss. It's very tragic that we have lost such a great, charismatic leader who was possibly going to change the path our country has been on.

What it means for the Pakistani people is that we have a huge void in leadership in the country right now. And, you know, the future, God knows what happens now. For the family, it's a great loss. Her dad was lost in a similar fashion in the struggle for democracy, and so is she. So, it's very sad and it's very tragic.

KEILAR: As you mentioned, her father was assassinated. She also lost both of her brothers. Did you worry about Benazir when she was heading back to Pakistan in October? Obviously, her safety has been at risk this whole time.

BHUTTO: Yes, absolutely.

But, you know, she's -- she's just like -- it's kind of in the genes. She's a fighter. And she was a fighter. And she went back knowing the threat she is going to have to face over in Pakistan. And she went there. She was attacked the moment she landed at the airport and she was addressing people.

And, yet again, you know, I'm hearing people saying, why did she have to get out of the SUV to wave? You know, she was a people person. And she wanted to stay connected to the nation of Pakistan. And that's how she gave her life.

KEILAR: And is your family going to be going to Pakistan?

BHUTTO: No. It's -- the political unrest over there is -- it's just not safe to be there.

The closer side of the Benazir Bhutto family obviously will be there, but we're going to probably host some ceremonies here, just pray, and pray for a better future for our country and for her soul that rests in peace.

KEILAR: And where will she be buried? Is it Larkana? Is that right?

BHUTTO: Yes, Larkana is where Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is buried. And that's just a little up north from Karachi. That's the biggest city in Pakistan. So, that's where she's going to be buried.

KEILAR: And talk to me about the ceremonies that you are expecting to see here in the U.S. You mentioned that you may be part of some there in Houston. Are you expecting some in other places around the U.S.? And what exactly will you be expecting?

BHUTTO: I don't really know what else is going to go on in the rest of the United States.

But myself and my friends and my family, we're most likely going to go ahead and get together and recite Koran, the holy book, and just ask the lord to bless her and pray for peace back home.

KEILAR: All right, Faisal, Faisal Bhutto, thank you so much for being with us. We know this is a hard time for you. You have lost a cousin. And, as you said, Pakistan has also lost a leader. Thank you for taking the time. We appreciate it.

BHUTTO: Thank you.

LEMON: A charismatic leader is killed. A country's political process is thrown into turmoil. We will talk with the top adviser to Benazir Bhutto coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS REPORT)

KEILAR: Candidates on the campaign trail commenting on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

And the former prime minister's last interview with our Wolf Blitzer -- coming up.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: We're getting new information by the minute -- news from Pakistan and reaction from around the world.

We want to check in with our International Desk right now in our newsroom.

CNN's Isha Sesay is there with the very latest.

What have you found out now -- Isha?

ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Don.

As you would expect, we're continuing to monitor those TV networks in Pakistan and in the region. Just to share with our viewers what people are seeing on their screens in Pakistan and in that part of the world, independent network, GEO TV, the government-run station, Pakistan TV and ARY TV, the opposition run network broadcast out of Dubai are showing these scenes.

As you would expect, on a day like this, when such a tragic turn of events has taken place, their coverage has been dominated -- dominated -- wall to wall coverage -- on news of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

Some other details we want to share with our viewers. Preparations are being made right now for the burial of Benazir Bhutto in that same small town where her father and her two brothers are laid to rest. Her husband and three children have now arrived in Pakistan. And, as we understand it, the plan is they will accompany her body from Rawalpindi to her final resting place. We're hearing that the funeral could happen as soon as tomorrow.

Now, you know, news of this assassination has triggered angry scenes across Pakistan. And I'm pleased to say, joining us on the line now is Shehryar Ahmed, who lives in Karachi. His home is near the late Benazir Bhutto's.

He's on the line now. And, Shehryar, you're live on CNN. Just give us a sense of what's happening on the streets of Karachi where you are.

SHEHRYAR AHMED, KARACHI RESIDENT: Well, I believe things have calmed down a bit now. But a few hours ago, when I was trying to get home from work, we found out about 6:00 -- after 6:00 -- that something had happened to Benazir Bhutto's caravan and that she was all right -- initially were the reports we got. I got a call from my wife. I was still at work and we put the TV on.

And the next report was that, you know, that she was injured. And the next thing we knew, we heard that she had actually, indeed, passed away. And it was absolute -- I mean it was in my office. We have about 100, 150 people in my office in the financial district. And there was -- everybody was very scared and everybody wanted to flee the office because they expected that there was going to be a backlash by Peoples Party supporters.

So we -- we basically rushed out of the office. And by the time we got down to the ground floor, or near it, the gates had been shut to my building. And basically people had heard firing and they were urging people to stay within indoors. But I hadn't heard any -- anything like that. And so I got out and opened the gate and I got my car out and managed to get out of the office. But then traffic was absolute mayhem. And, basically, you know, the traffic police were trying to manage the situation, but it was completely unmanageable.

I finally got out of there after about an hour-and-a-half -- maybe nearly two hours. And then I came close to Benazir's house, which is called Delaval House (ph). And the road that leads to that, everybody had pretty -- pretty much had stayed the heck clear from there. And it was a complete ghost town down that whole street. So I chose to take back streets back to my house.

But on the way, I saw -- I saw scenes that I have never seen in the parts of town that I live in. There's a place called The Defence Housing Authority and one of the nicest shopping areas. There was no cars at all one way. And I was going to go on the street. And I looked to my left and I saw cars burning and about 70 cars, you know, stuck behind these burning cars.

I U-turned back out of there and took another back street toward my house and one of the major arteries close to my neighborhood is called Shamsheer. And that had several cars burning on it, which I've -- you know, I've never seen a burning car in my life so...

SESAY: And Sheh...

AHMED: ...and I've lived in Karachi almost 30 years.

SESAY: And Shehryar...

AHMED: It was pretty scary.

SESAY: And Shehryar, just to break in. You were describing scenes of mayhem on the streets of Pakistan. What are your friends hearing? What are you talking about now? I mean, what is the sense of what happens next in Pakistan?

AHMED: Well, the thing is the Bhutto dynasty has a very strong -- I'm it's almost a cult of personality that Benazir's father engendered. I don't think they're -- you know, they represent the majority of Pakistan, but they are extremely devoted. And at the lower levels they're, you know, they're willing to do anything. And so I'm hearing stories from across Pakistan, not just my neighborhood, but Lahore, Islamabad. People are basically holed up in their houses. All the people who are locking up, they have gotten home from work.

And you know I've -- people from my office had took -- took four or five hours to get home. They've seen buses -- 20 buses, one of my employees told me, 20 buses he saw burned on the way home. People are having to walk home because things have been chaotic. I believe things have calmed down a little bit now, but in the few hours that have passed, things have been worse than, you know, I've seen in my lifetime.

SESAY: All right, Shehryar Ahmed in Karachi. Thank you so much for joining us on the line. Stay safe. Thanks for speaking to CNN.

And, Don, just giving you a sense there of the aftermath that played out after news of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto got out in various parts of Pakistan. Scenes of mayhem, as that caller was just telling us. And we'll continue to watch the developments right here in the International Desk.

Back to you, Don.

LEMON: Absolutely. Isha, thank you very much for that. We will check back with you possibly one more time before we start "THE SITUATION ROOM".

Benazir Bhutto's team of advisers included people in Pakistan as well as those who live aboard. And joining me now from Boston is Husain Haqqani. He was an adviser to Benazir Bhutto and he last spoke with her just two days ago.

I have to say, since you were an adviser, I have to say sorry for your loss, since you knew her for a long time. But I have to ask you, as an adviser, as an adviser, what do you think of her standing in the roof of that vehicle? And we have the picture of it. And I know that she was a person of the people, as many of our guests have been saying. But would you have advised her to do that?

HUSAIN HAQQANI, FORMER BENAZIR BHUTTO ADVISER: I would certainly have advised her to take ample caution. And I am sure that ample caution was taken. But I don't think that the person who there to kill her would have stopped just because she did not stand up and reached out to the people.

The problem here is that this is the second attempt on her -- this time successful. The previous time unsuccessful. And there are people who always try to blame the victim. I had a problem the last time, also, with one of the anchor persons, who said should she have had a rally?

The question is, why doesn't anyone ask General Musharraf why the government of Pakistan -- which can arrest the supreme court chief justice, detain hundreds of lawyers, can't arrest the few terrorists who have created mayhem in Pakistan? Why is it that telephone calls between me Motama (ph) Benazir Bhutto can be intercepted by intelligence services, but they simply cannot listen in into phone calls by Ayman Al-Zawahari and Osama bin Laden?

That is the question to ask, not whether she should have been standing there or not. She is gone. It's a tragic loss for all of us who knew her and the millions of people whose lives she touched.

The real issue in Pakistan is that Pakistan has a military civilian oligarchy that has hated her and her family. Her family has had a very tragic life. Her father was executed by one military dictator. Two of her brothers were killed. Her husband spent eight- and-a-half years in prison once and three years in prison once with no charges ever being proven.

All of that, actually, should make us think about the human dimension of Benazir Bhutto, rather than just being politically analytical about should she have done this or should she not have done that.

LEMON: Well, the only reason I asked you that question, again, is because you were an adviser to her. And, again, I have to say that -- sorry for your loss. No one is blaming the victim here. But she did have assassination attempt on her life no more than two months ago. And so having that picture and hearing from the photographer there, that is the reason I asked you that question...

HAQQANI: Sure.

LEMON: And I'm sure many people...

HAQQANI: No, no, I understand that...

LEMON: ...around the world will be...

HAQQANI: ...question.

LEMON: ...will be asking that. Let's talk about security now when it comes to Benazir Bhutto.

HAQQANI: Yes?

LEMON: Because she wrote to CNN.com just a short time ago saying that she didn't think that she had proper security, that she was told that she should not be in cars with tinted windows. And she, specifically herself, blamed President Musharraf for that.

HAQQANI: Well, the point is that when she arrived on October 18th, at that time, the reason why she didn't -- she survived that particular attack was that she had an entire cordon of Peoples Party supporters around her. So they saved her. Even then, there were suspicious circumstances. The lights went out just when the suicide bomber struck so that nobody could actually see this man coming, otherwise the people were able to push people out of that inner cordon. Now the security was being handled by the government. And there were many lapses. The jamming devices given to her to put off any time-operated device or time-related device -- those jamming devices weren't working. She was constantly saying that she wants to have...

LEMON: Right.

HAQQANI: ...she wants to have international security consultants at her own expense. I think the government played politics and in that politics, Benazir Bhutto's life was lost. They could have provided better security. After all, whenever there has been an attack on General Musharraf or any of his government people, they have all survived it. There have been suicide attacks...

LEMON: And I want to...

HAQQANI: ...on them.

LEMON: And, Mr. Haqqani, I want to ask you about this, because you mentioned the government. Let's talk about the U.S. government now. And correct me if I'm wrong on this, as I understand from my research, you told "Time" magazine today that you think that the U.S. government let Benazir Bhutto down. Can you explain that?

HAQQANI: The U.S. government let Benazir Bhutto down because after Benazir Bhutto arrived in Pakistan, the U.S. government constantly tried to pressure her into being accommodative toward General Musharraf without putting any pressure on General Musharraf to be accommodating toward her.

For example, on her security, Ms. Bhutto wrote to the Pakistani Interior Ministry, saying we want to be able to have international security consultants. The U.S. government was requested to support that -- not necessarily by saying yes, you should do it, but in the spirit in which the U.S. government suggests many things to General Musharraf who, after all, is a major beneficiary of American largesse and praise.

But the U.S. government did not do that. The U.S. government kind of listened to Pakistani officials and acted as cynically as some Pakistani officials. They had a ha-ha, hoo-hoo-hoo attitude instead of thinking about this person as a human being whose life was under threat. There was no serious effort to recognize that there was a threat to Benazir Bhutto, not only from Islamic terrorists...

LEMON: Right.

HAQQANI: ...but also from elements within the state apparatus who hated her.

LEMON: All right. Hussein Haqqani, who was an adviser to Benazir Bhutto and last spoke with her just two days ago. We thank you for joining us today.

HAQQANI: A pleasure being here.

LEMON: And tonight at 11:00 Eastern, CNN's Special Investigations Unit premieres "Pakistan: Terror Central".

Our Nic Robertson reports on Musharraf's precautions -- precautious -- precarious, I should say -- situation with Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He also talks about the allies with the U.S. in the war on terror. That's tonight at 11:00.

KEILAR: Candidates on the campaign trail commenting on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and the former Pakistani prime minister's last interview with our Wolf Blitzer.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: On the campaign trail, one of the Barack Obama's strategists took a swipe at Hillary Clinton today after the Bhutto assassination.

Our Jessica Yellin is in Iowa -- and, Jessica, this is a tragedy for Bhutto supporters and for her family. But, at the same time, for candidates, it's also a chance for them to really flex their muscles when it comes to international relations. What comment are you hearing from the Obama camp?

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brianna, for some time now, Senator Clinton has been criticizing Barack Obama -- either directly or indirectly -- for what she has framed as his lack of foreign policy experience, when she claims she has substantial foreign policy experience. The case is that in these tumultuous times, you need somebody who is very familiar with dealing with crises such as the one we're facing today or what could ensue in the coming months.

Well, reporters asked Barack Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, whether this situation in Pakistan will hurt Barack Obama and his chances to become the nominee.

And this was Axelrod's response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID AXELROD, OBAMA CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST: I think if people need to judge where these candidates were and what they've said and what they've done on these issues, I mean she -- she was a strong supporter of the war in Iraq, which we would submit is one of the reasons why we were diverted from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Al Qaeda -- who may have been players in this event today. So that's a judgment she'll have to defend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Now the widespread interpretation was that he seemed to be linking Benazir Bhutto's death and Senator Clinton's vote on Iraq. He went on to say that: "I think his judgment" -- Obama's -- "was good. Senator Clinton made a different judgment. Let's have that discussion." Well, when asked about these comments and whether there was a link there, the Barack Obama campaign reacted strongly and said that we are overreaching by suggesting that he believes Hillary Clinton's vote had anything to do with the death. And Axelrod told our own Gloria Borger that he would not suggest there's a straight line relationship between the events of today and anyone's particular vote but, again, he's pointing out the difference in judgment.

As you might imagine, the Senate -- Senator Clinton's campaign had a fierce response, saying this is a time to be focused on the tragedy of the situation. No one should be politicizing this situation with baseless allegations.

Now, of course, this, again, goes to the central case that Senator Clinton has been making, that she is the one with the foreign policy credentials. And now, Senator Obama's strategist, by making these comments today, has raised the stakes, in a sense, by suggesting and by raising the question -- whether he's suggesting that Clinton is somehow indirectly responsible. A lot of tension on the campaign trail over this issue today -- Brianna?

KEILAR: Yes, it certainly is getting heated just one week from the Iowa caucuses.

Jessica Yellin for us there in Des Moines. Thanks, Jessica.

LEMON: There has been other news going on around the world and the country this afternoon. And we'll see what you're clicking on at CNN.com in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Well, it's time now to see what's clicking with all you CNN.comers. Our ongoing coverage of the assassination of Pakistan's former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto -- from President Bush calling Bhutto's killers "murderous extremists" to our video of the scene just moments before the explosion, people are turning to CNN for the very latest.

Add actress Mischa Barton to the list of starlets charged with DUI. The 21-year-old was arrested early this morning in West Hollywood.

And a tiger's mysterious and deadly escape at the San Francisco Zoo. Just within the last hour, we learned the zoo will remain closed tomorrow. Several changes are also planned, including new fencing and surveillance cameras at the large cat exhibit.

All these stories and much, much more on CNN.com.

KEILAR: Back now to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The former Pakistani prime minister sat down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer in Washington just before she went home to Pakistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: You're a relatively young woman. How scared are you, though? Because, as you know, Osama bin Laden and other terrorists, they've attacked you in the past and they clearly would like to go after you now.

BENAZIR BHUTTO, FORMER PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER: Yes, of course they would like to go against me. There's a lot of threats, because under military dictatorship, an anarchic situation has developed which the terrorists and Osama have exploited. They don't want democracy. They don't want me back.

BLITZER: They don't want a woman to be the prime minister of Pakistan either.

BHUTTO: And they don't believe in women governing nations. So they will try to plot against me. But these are risks that must be taken. I'm prepared to take them.

BLITZER: Yes, your family has a history, unfortunately -- a tragic history of assassinations.

BHUTTO: I know the past has been tragic, but I'm an optimist by nature. I put my faith in the people of Pakistan. I put my faith in God. I see that what I am doing is for a good cause, for a right cause, to save Pakistan from extremists and militants and to build regional security. I know the dangers out there, but I'm prepared to take those risks.

My father was killed. It was a very terrible moment in my life. But I also learned from him that one has to stand up for the principles they believe in. And I'm standing up for the principle of democracy. I'm standing up for moderation. And I'm standing up for hope for all the people in Pakistan who today are poor and miserable and really quite desperate.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

KEILAR: Bhutto ended her self-imposed exile about three weeks after that interview.

We're going to check in with Wolf in "THE SITUATION ROOM" in just a few moments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Benazir Bhutto's assassination has thrown Pakistan's political process into turmoil. Parliamentary elections are still scheduled for January 8th, but their legitimacy, well, if they happen, is now in question.

Earlier, CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen talked about what's next for Pakistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: I think, Heidi, what first happens is a time of mourning in Pakistan. This -- the Bhutto family is sort of akin to a royal family, almost, in Pakistan. This is an event not dissimilar to the Kennedy assassination in this country -- or even, perhaps, like a 9/11-like event.

Because this is, after all, a secular woman; a former prime minister two times; somebody whose family has been beset by tragedy. Two of her brothers were assassinated -- one in the south of France, one in Pakistan; her father executed by the previous military dictator; certainly, the most famous political family in Pakistan.

So, first, a period of mourning. Second, a question about what will happen with the elections, which were scheduled for the first week of January.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Right.

BERGEN: President Musharraf could easily invoke a state of national emergency. Obviously, that would be quite helpful for him. But, you know, it's still too early to speculate. But, certainly, he would have some grounds to say that the election date is -- it needs to be, perhaps, readjusted or delayed. After all, not only is she -- comes from this very well-known family, she is, after all, the most popular politician in Pakistan.

COLLINS: Right.

BERGEN: She was polling at 63 percent in a poll just several weeks ago, which is much higher than her rivals or General Musharraf. What does her political party do? She was the chairperson for life in her political party, somebody who is -- you know, there was no question about her dominance in that party. So there's no one, really, who can replace her.

So what does that do for the election? I think it calls the election into great -- you know, there's a lot of questions. And one of the big questions I have, that Rawalpindi, Pakistan -- where she was assassinated -- is the center of the Pakistani military. This is akin to a major political figure getting -- in the United States getting killed very near the Pentagon.

COLLINS: Right.

BERGEN: Why the lack of security, you know, in the place which is the center of the Pakistani military is going to be a huge question.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And our Wolf Blitzer had the opportunity to interview the former prime minister a number of times. He's standing by to tell us what's coming up in "THE SITUATION ROOM."

Hi, Wolf.

BLITZER: Hi, Don. Thanks very much.

Ahead, we're going to tell a story -- a story that Benazir Bhutto wanted me to tell the world if she were killed. Her chilling e-mail, sent to a longtime friend just weeks before she was assassinated. In that e-mail, she revealed the person she would hold responsible if she were murdered. I'll reveal the contents of the e-mail for the first time. That's coming up.

And I'll also interview the man who let me in on the story at Benazir Bhutto's request.

All that and a lot more coming up in a special edition of THE SITUATION ROOM -- back to you.

LEMON: We look forward to that. Thank you very much, Wolf.

KEILAR: And let's get now to Wall Street, where the closing bell is about to ring.

LEMON: Susan Lisovicz is standing by with a final look at the trading day -- Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, we had every expectation that this would be a light news day and it's been anything but. You know, one trader who I was just talking to a few minutes ago said, you know, we've been talking about risk and fear in the marketplace. It's had everything to do with the fear of recession or the credit crunch or liquidity crunch.

And today, well, it came down to geopolitical concerns, with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. We saw -- the news of her death came about an hour before the opening bell. Stock futures weakened while commodity prices went the other direction. Oil priced settled about $1.50 off of the all time closing high. And stock prices -- well, they have been declining this afternoon. And we are going to close to session lows.

Right now, Pakistan obviously a major U.S. ally and the death of this charismatic and well known figure is something that really jolted the financial markets.

At the close, the Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P will each -- each be down at least half a point -- 1.5 percent.

See you tomorrow, Brianna and Don.

KEILAR: Thank you, Susan.

LEMON: Now it's time to turn it over to a special edition of "THE SITUATION ROOM" and Mr. Wolf Blitzer.

Take it away -- Wolf.

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