Benazir Bhutto's letter to Peter Galbraith

Today the following letter from Benazir to Peter Galbraith (former US ambassador with posts in the UN and first Bush administration) has been circulating in the Pakistani media. The intention is obviously to smear Benazir's name, but the content of the letter is especially meaningful - among other things she asks Galbraith to persuade the Indian Prime Minister at the time, V.P. Singh to engage with the Pakistani army on the border so that they 'do not impede my way'. Of course, if would not be possible to smear Benazir's good name if she did not make it so very easy. The letter, which is copied below is dated 24-09-1990 one month after Benazir's first government was thrown out
of office.

Mrs. Benazir Bhutto

Bilawal House

Karachi

Dear Peter Galbraith,
I don't know how to thank you for yoru so many favours to me and my
family. As you know that the orders of my dismissal were drafted in
the JAG Branch of the GHQ, and it was not possible for me to pull
along with the army and they subverted my government.
I have already communicated to Various friends in the congress and
especially Stephen Solarzn: to use their good office with President
Bush, so as to put maximum pressure on President Ishaq, and the army
in Pakistan, that they do not disqualify me from the elections as it
will be unjust and negation of all democratic principles for which we
have struggled.
It would be most appropriate if military as well as economic
Assistance to Pakistan is Stopped and all the International agencies
like the world Bank, IMF are told to Squeeze the Government of
Pakistan, and if possible all supply to Pakistan should be disrupted
so that normal life in Pakistan comes to stand still
As long as I was the Prime Minister, I kept a check on the Nuclear
device, but now I do not know what are the plans of the Government.
The suspension of F-16 and its spares will bring the army to its sensens (sic).
Dear Peter, Please use your influence on V.P Singh the Indian Prime
Minister, to engage the Pakistan army on the borders, so that they do
not impede my way.
I wish Rajiv Gandhi had been the Prime Minister of India, things would
have been easier.
Thank you and with warm regards,
Sincerely yours,
Benazir Bhutto

Dated 24-09-1990
National Democratic Institution for International Affairs
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 504, Washington D.C. 20036
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