Interesting that both Bush and Brown have immediately pinned responsibility of the assassination on, "extremists," even as Bhutto claimed that if she were to be assassinated, Musharraf would be the person responsible.
Bush's statement:
"The US strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy."
"We stand with the people of Pakistan in that struggle against the forces of terror and extremism. We urge them to honour Benazir Bhutto's memory by continuing with a democratic process."
Brown's statement (via the foreign secretary Millband):
"In targeting Benazir Bhutto extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan. They cannot and must not succeed."
Yet today CNN released a letter given to CNN by a friend to be opened only in the event of her death:
"Nothing will, God willing, happen. Just wanted you to know if it does in addition to the names in my letter to Musharraf of October 16th, I would hold Musharraf responsible."
Other nations spoke with more circumspection. It seems, as far as the allies are concerned, the assassins are already known and convicted. This despite the fact that Bhutto openly complained about the lack of security the Pakistani government gave her.
This entire episode is a fascinating example of how biased (or ignorant) media reporting colors our perspective on news events. As far as most Americans are concerned she was as good as a living statue of liberty gunned down by al Qaeda and that's precisely what the US and UK governments would like us to believe.
Pakistanis, meanwhile, are blaming Musharraf and reflecting their anger in rioting. Rawalpindi is a military garrison where the armed forces are headquartered, close to the capital of Islamabad. If Musharraf controls any city, it's Rawalpindi. Interesting to note that Pakistan's first prime minister was also assassinated in Rawalpindi in the very same park where Bhutto lost her life.