Assassination of Bhutto is a Tragedy for Pakistan
Footlik: “America needs a new policy toward Pakistan immediately”
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. This is not only a great tragedy for her family and her country, but it is also a setback for all of us who believe in peaceful, open governments that are governed by majorities but tolerant of minorities. My prayers go out to the Bhutto family, and to all the people working to bring an end to the conflict in this region," said Jay Footlik, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 10th district.
"The death of the former Prime Minister is a great defeat to all who had hoped for a new beginning and a new possibility in Pakistan, now one of the most dangerous internal situations in the world today. This is another example of how over-concentrating our military and political personnel in Iraq has undermined our efforts to concentrate on other problems like Pakistan. America needs a new policy toward Pakistan immediately, as we have no time to waste.
I believe that the President should take two immediate steps. First, he should send more advisers to work closely with the Pakistani army on targeting terrorists and extremists who want to create another Taliban-type government. And second, the President should immediately appoint a commission of experts to produce a new policy toward Pakistan analogous to what was accomplished by the Baker/Hamilton Commission on Iraq last year or, alternatively, the Baker/Hamilton group should be resurrected to deal immediately with this growing problem. If the President will not act, Congress should. This administration has waited and watched the deteriorating situation in Pakistan for too long from the sidelines, and now it is time to act. " continued Footlik.