Bilawal to pursue study to gain maturity and wisdom in politics

London, Jan 8 (UNI) Meeting the world media for the first time today, 19-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of slain Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, said he would continue his studies to gain 'maturity' and 'sufficient wisdom' in politics.

Speaking to newspersons at Hotel Gore in London this morning, he said his immediate priority ''is to return to Oxford to continue my studies. Unless I can finish my education and develop enough maturity, I recognise that I will never be in a position to have sufficient wisdom to enter the political arena.'' He reminded that his mother's greatest strength was her education, and added that at present, ''my role as Chairman is one into which I shall step gradually and carefully.'' While appreciating that the detectives from Scotland Yard were assisting in the investigation of his mother's (Benazir) death, he said, ''However, the family's and party's request is for a UN-sponsored investigation.'' He also declined to make any comment on speculations about who was behind Benazir's death as the investigation was ongoing.

However, he said, ''Had she been provided adequate protection, she would be alive today.'' Following some articles published in the media here about his life-style in Oxford, Bhutto requested the media ''to give me some privacy to complete my undergraduate life as my mother wished.'' When asked, if he feared for his life, given the tragic deaths of his grandfather and mother, he smiled and added, ''I fear more for my privacy.'' He told the media, ''Once the US stops supporting dictators, terrorism (in Pakistan) can be successfully tackled.' On the question of how he saw the relations between the India and Pakistan in light of their past history, he said, ''I believe that Pakistan should be able to have peaceful coexistence with all its neighbours.'' UNI XC SBC BD2240