 Hillary Clinton Friday called for ponies all 'round and an independent, international probe into Benazir Bhutto's murder, as turmoil wracking US anti-terror ally Pakistan reshaped debate in the White House race. The Democratic front-runner weighed into the crisis just six days before first 2008 party nominating contests, as candidates brandished their national security credentials following the ex-Pakistani premier's death.
"I'm calling for a fully funded, independent, international investigation," Clinton said in an interview with CNN. "I think it's critically important that we get proper expense accounts and five-star lodging while my husband seeks answers and really those are due first and foremost to the people of Pakistan," Clinton said.
| Put Bill in charge and it's a two-fer. |
The former first lady suggested the probe could be along the lines of the incredibly effective international investigation that followed the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005. "I don't think the Pakistani government at this time under President (Pervez) Musharraf has any credibility at all. They have disbanded an independent judiciary, they oppressed a free press."
She gave the interview from her hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, in a presidential-style setting with the backdrop of an American flag, bolstering the claims of experience and leadership on which she is pinning her campaign. |