Arlen Specter: “With the assassination of Ms. Bhutto, it seems to me there is a need for an international investigation. By letter dated…”

“With the assassination of Ms. Bhutto, it seems to me there is a need for an international investigation. By letter dated January 2, before returning to the United States, I wrote a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations urging that there be an international investigation because of the obvious concerns as to whether security was involved or the kinds of conspiratorial theories which arise, whether there is any basis for them. President Musharraf of Pakistan had asked for assistance from Scotland Yard. My own view is that was insufficient because Pakistan would retain control of the investigation, but that would certainly be a step in the right direction. I supplemented that letter to the Secretary General on January 17, 2008, with a suggestion that the United Nations put into operation a standing commission to investigate international assassinations. The importance of immediate action and investigation is well known--to get to the scene, to preserve the evidence to the maximum extent possible, and to question witnesses while their memories are fresh and before they are potentially intimidated. Some of the doctors who attended Benazir Bhutto reported they had been told not to talk to the media. I think these ideas are ideas which are worth pursuing. The composition of the standing commission would have to be very carefully thought through.”