Bush Decries Bhutto Assassination.

President Bush acknowledges the courage of Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated Thursday, saying she refused to let dictators designate the course of her country.

Bush and Bhutto never had a conversation after Sept. 11, 2001, however, as Bush reached out to Pervez Musharraf. The U.S. sees Pakistan as a critical part of the fight against terrorism. That relationship and difficult politics within Pakistan made Bush keep Bhutto at arms length.

Further, U.S. Ambassador Teresita Schaffer, who was ambassador to Sri Lanka and a deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia, says the democracy agenda took a back seat in Pakistan. Musharraf has become unpopular. Many believe January elections will be anything but free and fair.

Schaffer speaks with Steve Inskeep and Don Gonyea.

Listen to the interview