Bhutto's Assassination Risks Security, Democracy.

[...] A statement by Musharraf in which he blamed terrorists for the assassination and vowed to find whoever was responsible evidently did little to quell Pakistanis, many of whom erupted in violence following Bhutto's assassination, setting fire to cars, trains and posters bearing Musharraf's image.

The violence might only get worse as more Pakistanis turn against the government, said Rick Barton, co-director of the bipartisan Washington-based Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project, which recently completed a report on the relationship between Pakistan and the United States.

"There will probably be larger street demonstrations and more public expression," said Barton. "[The assassination] shows that Musharraf isn't really in control, and while some will hold him responsible for the actual assassination, others will see it as a sign of lack of social order, and that it was really impossible to protect [Bhutto] all along.

"These are catalyzing events that affirm that the authorities aren't in charge," Barton continued.

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