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Bush unhappy with Taliban’s movement on Pak-Afghan border |
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Updated at:
0815
PST, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 |
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WASHINGTON: U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday he was "troubled" by the movement of extremists from Pakistan to Afghanistan and would discuss the threat with Pakistan's Prime Minister here this month.
Speaking at a White House press conference, Bush also said the United States would investigate charges by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that elements of the Pakistani intelligence services had been involved in attacks in Afghanistan.
"We'll investigate his charge and we'll work with his service to get to the bottom of his allegation," the president said.
"No question, however, that some extremists are coming out of parts of Pakistan into Afghanistan," Bush said. "And that's troubling to us, it's troubling to Afghanistan, and it should be troubling to Pakistan.
"I certainly hope that the government understands the dangers of extremists moving in their country," the president said. "I think they do."
"As a matter of fact, we'll have an opportunity to explore that further" with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Bush said.
"Pakistan is an ally. Pakistan is a friend," he said. "And I repeat, all three countries, the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan, share a common enemy."
Bush also said the United States is "surging troops in Afghanistan," where nine US soldiers were killed on Sunday in one of the deadliest attacks by the Taliban since the group's ouster by US-backed Afghan forces in late 2001.
"We're committed," Bush said, describing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as the "big challenge of the time."
"You know, the question really facing the country is will we have the patience and the determination to succeed in these very difficult theaters?" he said. |
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ISSN 1563-9479 
