Military

DATE=2/13/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-286416

TITLE=BUSH / MUSHARRAF (L)

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says Pakistan is expanding its fight against international terrorists. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met with Mr. Bush at the White House Wednesday where the men also discussed ways to resolve tensions along the Pakistani / Indian border.

TEXT: President Bush says Pakistan is a key partner in the coalition against terrorism, praising President Musharraf as a leader with great courage and vision.

/// BUSH ACT ///

Pakistan's continuing support of Operation Enduring Freedom has been critical to our success so far in toppling the Taleban and routing out the al-Qaida network. Yet President Musharraf has made an even broader commitment. He has declared that Pakistan will be an enemy of terrorism and extremism wherever it exists, including inside his own border.

/// END ACT ///

President Bush says the Pakistani leader understands that his nation can not grow peacefully if terrorists are tolerated or ignored in his country, in his region, or in the world.

India says Pakistan is fueling regional violence by sponsoring terrorist attacks in the Kashmiri border region. The predominantly Muslim area has been in dispute between the countries for more than 50 years since a United Nations ceasefire gave one-third of Kashmir to Pakistan and two-thirds to India.

President Musharraf says he wants to solve the problem peacefully, in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

/// MUSHARRAF ACT ///

I apprised the president of the massive and aggressive deployment of Indian forces on our borders and the serious security situation that it has created. The immediate return of Indian forces to peacetime locations and the early resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India is the way forward.

/// END ACT ///

President Musharraf thanked President Bush for urging restraint between the rival nuclear powers, saying he believes the United States can help facilitate a peace deal. India has rejected international mediation, saying Kashmir is a problem to be settled between the two nations.

/// BEGIN OPT ///

Pakistan has become increasingly important to the United States since its fight against terrorism began in neighboring Afghanistan. Lunch at the White House is quite a change for President Musharraf who faced international sanctions when he came to power in a bloodless coup in October of 1999.

Now President Bush is trying to help the Pakistani leader with economic and military assistance to counter domestic fallout from his support for the U-S led coalition and a crackdown on Islamic extremists.

/// SECOND BUSH ACT ///

The forces of history have accelerated the growth of friendship between the United States and Pakistan. I believe the pages of history will record that this friendship was hopeful and positive and will lead to peace.

/// END ACT ///

President Bush says greater trade and investment opportunities coupled with sound Pakistani economic policies will help guide the country toward a return to civilian rule in elections planned for later this year.

/// THIRD BUSH ACT ///

The president has articulated a vision of Pakistan as a progressive, modern, and democratic Islamic society, determined and serious about seeking greater learning and greater prosperity for its citizens. The United States is committed to working in partnership with Pakistan to pursue these objectives.

/// END ACT ///

/// END OPT ///

President Musharraf says he is "gratified" that the U-S supports his vision of Pakistan as a dynamic, liberal, and in his words, "genuinely democratic Muslim country." While there was no announcement of new bilateral agreements, the men did discuss Pakistan's request for more debt relief, greater access to U-S military equipment, and more favorable terms of trade particularly in the export of Pakistani textiles. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/RH