US rejects allegation of involvement in Benazir assassination

The US on Wednesday dismissed as "false" and "outrageous" the allegations made by former Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief Hamid Gul that the United States government was involved in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

The US on Wednesday dismissed as "false" and "outrageous" the allegations made by former Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief Hamid Gul that the United States government was involved in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

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Noting that Gul had "repeatedly asserted the outrageous and baseless claim" during appearances on two TV news channels, a spokesman for the US embassy said, "The US rejects this and other false allegations regularly made by Lt Gen (retired) Gul about its policies and activities."

The spokesman said that at the time of Bhutto's murder in December 2007, the US "swiftly and publicly condemned" the act and called for an independent investigation.

"Despite the fact that Mr Gul gave no proof for his allegations against the United States, his statements were not challenged by any of the TV hosts who invited him to their programmes," the spokesman said.

"TV stations and the anchors have the same obligations as other journalists - to present the public with balanced views, to question unsubstantiated allegations by guests and to reject incitement," he added.