U.S., Pakistan reaffirm ties
Bush vows investment; lauds Musharraf's role in terror war
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Bush and Musharraf hold a news conference Tuesday at the Camp David, Maryland, presidential retreat.
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CNN's John King reports on the fourth meeting between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and U.S. President George W. Bush (June 24)
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SPECIAL REPORT
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CAMP DAVID, Maryland (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush and Pakistan's leader Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday announced closer military and economic ties.
Bush and President Pervez Musharraf said their fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban has been successful. They also announced the establishment of economic agreements.
"Pakistan's support was essential in our campaign against the Taliban," Bush said. "Pakistan has apprehended more than 500 al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists, thanks to the effective border security measures and law enforcement cooperation throughout the country and thanks to the leadership of President Musharraf."
Bush said the United States provides "over $31 million for initiatives in Pakistan aimed at broadening political participation and expanding educational opportunities, especially for women and girls" and has canceled $1 billion of debt Pakistan owed the United States.
"Today, I'm pleased to announce that our nations are signing a trade and investment framework agreement, which creates a formal structure for expanding our economic partnership.
"In addition, I will work with the United States Congress on a $3 billion assistance package to help advance security and economic opportunity for Pakistan's citizens," Bush said.
Musharraf said the United States and Pakistan "have reaffirmed that our ties should be made more broad-based and multifaceted and based on a long- term and predictable basis."
Bush said "it's just a matter of time" before terrorists are hunted down.
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He cited the "multi-year economic and defense-related package for Pakistan" and a science and technology agreement.
Musharraf said he and Bush discussed Iraq, Middle East peace, Afghanistan, and Pakistan's conflict with India over the territory of Kashmir.
The Pakistani leader said he is committed to fighting terror. "We abhor terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. There is no cause that can be justified or promoted through terrorist acts. And Pakistan is moving against terrorism in its own national interest."
Musharraf said Pakistan is scouring border tribal areas for al Qaeda operatives.
"Now, whether Osama bin Laden is (in Pakistan) or across the border, your guess, sir, will be as good as mine," Musharraf said. "So I wouldn't like to venture into a guess. But the possibility of his maybe shifting sides on the border is very much there."
He said "there is no doubt" in time that he will be able to locate any al Qaeda members hiding in the area.
