    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 4, 2006]
    [Pages 357-404]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and an Exchange With Reporters in
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    March 4, 2006

        President Musharraf. With your permission, Mr. President--ladies and
    gentlemen, it's indeed a great day. It's our honor, it's a proud
    privilege for Pakistan to receive President Bush, Mrs. Laura Bush, the
    First Lady, and such a large delegation from the United States. We are
    extremely glad that this has happened and the President is in our midst.
        In our discussions, first of all, I expressed Pakistan's deepest
    regrets on the very sad incident of the killing of a United States
    diplomat in Karachi. We know that it has been timed very viciously to
    vitiate the atmosphere during the President's visit, but I'm very glad
    and I'm extremely grateful to the President for showing understanding
    and showing also the resolve not to let such terrorist acts interfere in
    the normal process of our strategic cooperation.
        I also expressed Pakistan's gratitude to the President for the
    assistance that we got in the relief operations and the reconstruction
    activity of the earthquake in our hour of need. I don't think without
    the assistance of the Chinooks of United States and the medical teams,
    the hospitals, that we could have met the challenges of the relief
    operation in the earthquake. And we look forward to increased
    involvement--or sustained involvement of United States in assisting us
    in the reconstruction activity. So, our extreme gratitude to United
    States.
        Ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan and United States have always had a
    strategic partnership, a strategic relationships all along. Today with
    my interaction with the President, we have revived and maybe further
    strengthened this relationship. We have laid the foundations of a very
    strong, sustainable, broad-based, and a long-term relationship between
    Pakistan and United States. And this relationship includes, first of
    all, commencing our United States-Pakistan strategic dialog in an
    institutional manner, creating an institutional methodology of doing
    that, and talking of--within this, talking of trade and investment,
    talking of defense relationships, cooperation in education, and above
    all, cooperation in our fight against terrorism and extremism.
        I did express my gratitude to the President also for his efforts
    towards resolution of disputes in the region, to bring peace

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    into the region, and a special reference to the resolution of the
    Kashmir dispute. I did request the President to remain involved in
    facilitating a resolution of all disputes including, obviously, the
    Kashmir dispute.
        Last of all, I did touch on the very thorny issue of the act,
    blasphemous act against our Prophet, peace be upon him. I did express
    the concerns of the Muslim world, in general, who condemn such acts and
    who reject the issue of justifying these acts in the name of freedom of
    press. May I say that the President did show concern, and I'm extremely
    grateful to him for showing concern toward the sentiments of the Muslim
    world.
        In the end, I would like to say that, again, that I look forward to
    an era of cooperation, of strategic relationships with you, with the
    United States. And may I add on a personal note, I look forward to
    sustaining this great friendship that I have developed with you,
    personally, Mr. President. Thank you very much again for coming to
    Pakistan and doing us this honor of hosting. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Mr. President, thank you. Laura and I are really glad to be here, and we want to thank
    you and Ms. Musharraf for your hospitality.
    We do have a good friendship. It was displayed last night when I got off
    Air Force One and your daughter was there to greet
    us. And that was a really kind gesture, and I thank you very much for
    that. I particularly thank your daughter for coming out.
        We've had a--we're going to have a full day. We've just had a
    lengthy one-on-one discussion about common interests. Then we invited
    members of our Government in to continue our discussion. I'll talk a
    little bit about the earthquake relief--I mean, the--yes, the earthquake
    relief in a minute. But I am looking forward to the meeting with a
    cross-section of Pakistani society, which will take place later on
    today, and I'm particularly interested in cricket. I understand you've
    lined up a little cricket exhibition for us, and maybe I'll take the
    bat, I don't know. We'll see. [Laughter] I'm kind of getting old these
    days.
        Mr. President and I reaffirmed our shared commitment to a broad and
    lasting strategic partnership. And that partnership begins with close
    cooperation in the war on terror. President Musharraf made a bold
    decision for his people and for peace, after September the 11th, when
    Pakistan chose to fight the terrorists. The American people appreciate
    your leadership, Mr. President, and so do I.
        Pakistan has captured or killed hundreds of Al Qaida terrorists.
    Pakistan has lost brave citizens in this fight. We're grateful to all
    who have given their lives in this vital cause. We honor the Pakistanis
    who continue to risk their lives to confront the terrorists. This week's
    bombing in Karachi shows again the war on terror goes on. America mourns
    the loss of all killed in the attack. We send our condolences to the
    family of David Foy, and we send our condolences,
    as well, to the families of the Pakistanis who lost their lives. We're
    not going to back down in the face of these killers. We'll fight this
    war, and we will win this war together.
        Pakistan is an important partner in fighting proliferation. Pakistan
    agreed to join the Container Security Initiative, an international
    effort to stop the spread of dangerous material shipments. And I thank
    you for that, Mr. President. We'll continue to work together to ensure
    that the world's most dangerous weapons do not end up in the hands of
    the terrorists.
        We support democracy in Pakistan. President Musharraf understands
    that in the long run, the way to defeat terrorists is to replace an
    ideology of hatred with an ideology of hope. And I thank you for your
    extensive briefing today on your plans to spread freedom throughout your
    country. President Musharraf envisions a modern state that provides an
    alternative to radicalism.

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        The elections scheduled for 2007 are a great opportunity for
    Pakistan. The President understands these elections need to be open and
    honest. America will continue to working with Pakistan to lay the
    foundations of democracy. And I appreciate your commitment.
        Pakistan and India now have an historic opportunity to work toward
    lasting peace. President Musharraf and Prime Minister Singh have shown themselves to be leaders of courage and
    vision. I was reflecting with the President how much the atmosphere has
    changed since I first became inaugurated as President. You think back to
    2001 and 2002, there was a lot of tension, a lot of concern. And yet the
    President has stood up and led the process toward better understanding,
    better exchanges with India. I encourage all sides to continue to make
    progress on important issues, including Kashmir.
        We're proud to help our Pakistani friends recover from the
    devastation of the earthquake. We just saw a film of the earthquake. It
    is staggering what the people of this country have been through. It is
    unbelievable how many people lost their lives, how many people have lost
    their homes. And we're proud to help. We're proud to help a great
    Pakistan military take the lead. We're proud to stand with the NGOs and
    those who deliver compassion as this country rebuilds. We stand by our
    commitment, our pledge of one-half billion dollars for recovery and
    reconstruction.
        We're cooperating to strengthen our economies. I congratulate the
    Government on its strong economic growth. We are in the process of
    working on a bilateral investment treaty that will encourage foreign
    investment and more opportunity for the people of Pakistan. We strongly
    support the President's vision of a reconstruction opportunity zone in
    remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This vision means that
    products manufactured in those zones would be eligible for duty-free
    entry into the United States. And so we're working to create such zones.
        Our idea is to continue to work with our strong friend and ally,
    work to keep the peace, to win the war on terror, to help the spread of
    democracy and freedom, and to encourage vital economic development.
        Finally, we look forward to continuing to work with the President on
    his vision to make sure that education is spread throughout this
    country, particularly for young girls. President Musharraf briefed us on
    his education plans today, and they're farsighted, and they're
    visionary. The United States looks forward to helping you, sir,
    implement that vision.
        All in all, it's an honor to be here. Thanks for your hospitality.
    I'm looking forward to taking some questions.

    Kashmir/Pakistan-U.S. Relations

        Q. Thank you, President Musharraf.
        President Bush, in your address to the Asia Society, you talked
    about a strategic partnership with Pakistan, as did President Musharraf
    just now. And, of course, you just mentioned the bilateral investment
    treaty. Could you list some possible tangible milestones in forging this
    relationship and taking it forward? And also, on Kashmir, what are your
    perceptions on how this can be resolved, given that you've met both the
    leaders of Pakistan and India now? Thank you.
        President Bush. The best way for Kashmir to be resolved is for
    leaders of both countries to step up and lead. And that's exactly what
    President Musharraf has done, and that's what Prime Minister
    Singh has assured me he wants to do, and that
    is to resolve this situation.
        Obviously, there needs to be some confidence in order for the
    countries to go forward, and therefore, the confidence-building measures
    that the governments have taken is beginning to bear fruits, in my
    judgment--increased trade, increased transportation. I thought it was
    interesting

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    that the Indians sent supplies immediately upon the devastating natural
    disaster. In other words, things are--the atmosphere is changing.
        However, in order for a deal to get done, it requires commitment at
    the leadership level. And in my perspective, I've seen the commitment,
    and the role of the United States is to continue to encourage the
    parties to come together.
        The first part of the question was tangible evidence. Well, part of
    the tangible evidence of our relationship is a half-a-billion-dollars
    commitment to help this country rebuild; it's the $66 million last year
    to help implement the President's education initiative. It is the idea
    of developing reconstruction zones--I mean, trade zones in remote areas
    so that goods manufactured in those zones can get duty-free access to
    the United States, on the theory that economic vitality and economic
    prosperity for people in the remote regions of Pakistan will help defeat
    the terrorists and their hateful ideology.
        Sam Bodman is coming, our Secretary of
    Energy, to work with Pakistan on Pakistan's energy needs. There's a
    variety of things we can continue to cooperate on. Perhaps the most
    important one of all is to defeat these terrorists, some of whom are
    lodged here in Pakistan, some of whom have tried to kill your President.
    And close cooperation is needed to defeat them.
        Terry Hunt [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    War on Terror

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, what would you like to
    see President Musharraf do in the war on terrorism that he's not doing
    now? Is the United States getting the access and the help that it needs
    to go after Al Qaida and Usama bin Laden?
        President Bush. There's a lot of work to be done in defeating Al
    Qaida. The President and I know that. We've spent a good while this
    morning talking about the work that needs to be done. The best way to
    defeat Al Qaida is to find--is to share good intelligence to locate them
    and then to be prepared to bring them to justice. So, one, the first
    question that I always ask is whether or not our intelligence sharing is
    good enough, and we're working on it to make sure it's good enough.
    Intelligence is gathered by--in a lot of different ways, but the key
    thing is that, one, it be actionable, and two, it be shared on a real-
    time basis.
        Secondly, in order for Pakistan to defend herself from Al Qaida, she
    must have equipment necessary to move quickly, without tipping off the
    enemy. The President is training up special forces teams to do just
    that. And so while we do have a lot of work to be done, it's important
    that we stay on the hunt. Part of my mission today was to determine
    whether or not the President is as committed as he has been in the past
    to bringing these terrorists to justice, and he is. He understands the
    stakes; he understands the responsibility; and he understands the need
    to make sure our strategy is able to defeat the enemy.
        Do you want to say something to that?
        President Musharraf. May I add to this, with your permission--the
    first element that one needs to be very clear is the intentions. I think
    it's very clear that the intentions of Pakistan and my intentions are
    absolutely clear that we are a very strong--we have a strong partnership
    on the issue of fighting terrorism. So the intentions should be very
    clear.
        Then we need to strategize. We have strategized. We have strategized
    how to deal with terrorism, and then strategized also on how to deal
    with extremism, which is very different from terrorism. So we have
    strategized both. Then we need to come forward to the implementation
    part. Now, the implementation has to be strong also, with all the
    resolve. We are doing that also. So if at all there are slippages, it is
    possible in the implementation part. But as long as the intention is
    clear, the resolve is

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    there, and the strategy is clear, we are moving forward toward to
    delivering, and we will succeed. That is what I think. Yes.

    Energy/Pakistan-U.S. Relations

        Q. My question is to President Bush. President Bush, you've talked
    about a strategic relationship with Pakistan. You've also talked about
    helping Pakistan economically, and you just mentioned that the Energy
    Secretary is going to be visiting Pakistan. So Pakistan has some general
    energy needs, and in that respect, the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline
    seems to have hit some problems because of the opposition from the
    United States. So what are some specific options that you have to
    address Pakistan's energy concerns? And are you working on offering
    Pakistan a civilian nuclear deal? Thank you.
        President Bush. As I mentioned, Secretary of Energy Sam
    Bodman will be here to work with the
    Pakistan Government. Our beef with Iran is not the pipeline; our beef
    with Iran is the fact that they want to develop a nuclear weapon. And I
    believe a nuclear weapon in the hands of the Iranians would be very
    dangerous for all of us. It would endanger world peace. So we're working
    very hard to convince the Iranians to get rid of their nuclear
    ambitions.
        As to the civilian nuclear program, first of all, I understand--the
    President brought this issue up with me--that Pakistan has got energy
    needs because of a growing economy. And he explained to me the natural
    gas situation here in the country. We understand you need to get natural
    gas in the region, and that's fine.
        Secondly, we discussed a civilian nuclear program, and I explained
    that Pakistan and India are different countries with different needs and
    different histories. So, as we proceed forward, our strategy will take
    in effect those well-known differences.
        Toby [Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters].

    Democracy in Pakistan

        Q. Mr. President----
        President Bush. Which one?
        Q. Both of you can address this. Some critics----
        President Bush. Trying to get you a question. [Laughter]
        Q. Some critics say that Pakistan is not moving quickly enough on
    democratic reforms. And moves towards democracy has been one of the
    hallmarks of your administration. How do you respond to critics who say
    you are holding back on pressing President Musharraf on moves toward
    democracy because of its help in the war on terrorism? And I would also
    ask----
        President Bush. Well, we discussed--we spent a lot of time talking
    about democracy in Pakistan, and I believe democracy is Pakistan's
    future. And we share a strong commitment to democracy. I just mentioned
    in my opening address the idea of making sure the elections go forward
    in 2007, and I discussed that with the President. President Musharraf
    has made clear that he intends to hold elections--I'll let him speak for
    himself on this issue, but democracy has been definitely a part of our
    agenda here, as it should be.
        Secondly, one of the things that the President is constantly talking
    about is the ways to defeat extremism. We're talking about making sure
    that we work closely to bring the terrorists to justice, but in the long
    run, he understands that extremism can be defeated by freedom and
    democracy and prosperity and better education. And we spent a lot of
    time strategizing on that subject today.
        I'll let you speak for yourself on the subject, though, Mr.
    President.
        President Musharraf. Unfortunately, we are accused a lot on not
    moving forward on democracy. But as I understand democracy, we are a--
    may I venture to tell you what we've done in line with democracy to
    introduce sustainable democracy in Pakistan. The first ingredient of
    democracy, I

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    believe, is the empowerment of the people. We have empowered the people
    of Pakistan now--they were never empowered before--by introducing a
    local government system where we have given the destiny of their areas
    for development, for welfare, for progress in their own hands through
    financial, political, and administrative involvement.
        It also--democracy also means empowerment of women. It is the first
    time that we have empowered the women of Pakistan, by giving them a say
    in the political milieu of Pakistan. Today, there are over 30,000 women
    in the political hierarchy of Pakistan. We have empowered the minorities
    of Pakistan for the first time. They have got a joint election system,
    where previously they had a separate election system. Therefore, they
    have been mainstreamed in that every person standing for elections has
    to go to the minorities to ask for their votes now. Therefore, they feel
    more a part of the Pakistani culture and Pakistan society.
        Then we have empowered also--we have liberated the media and the
    press. If you see this press today sitting around here, and the media,
    previously there was only one Pakistan television. Today, there are
    dozens of channels. All these people sitting around are the result of my
    democratization of Pakistan, opening the Pakistan society of the media--
    the print media and the electronic media, both. And they're totally
    liberated.
        And then, finally--obviously, this is to do with freedom of speech
    and freedom of expression. And then, finally, is the issue of their
    having the right to vote and elect their own people. And that is what we
    do. Today, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Provincial assemblies
    and the--of the local government is there. And they've been voted
    through absolute--franchise in a free and fair manner.
        So, therefore, may I say that we have introduced the essence of
    democracy now in Pakistan. It has been done now. It never--all these
    things never existed before. What maybe you are talking of is merely the
    label, which probably you are inferring on to my uniform. Indeed, and
    without saying that you are inferring to it, yes, indeed, that is an
    issue which needs to be addressed. And I will follow constitutional
    norms. Even now I am following constitutional norms where I have been
    allowed to wear this uniform until 2007--being in uniform as the
    President of Pakistan. Beyond 2007, yes, indeed, this is an issue which
    has to be addressed, and it has to be addressed according to the
    Constitution of Pakistan. And I will never violate the Constitution of
    Pakistan.
        So let me assure you that democracy will prevail. Sustainable
    democracy has been introduced in Pakistan and will prevail in Pakistan,
    especially beyond 2007. Long answer.
        President Bush. Yes. Good job--important answer.
        President Musharraf. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Very good job. Thank you again, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:45 p.m. at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. In his
    remarks, he referred to Sehba Musharraf, wife, and Ayla Raza, daughter,
    of President Musharraf; David Foy, a U.S. State Department official who
    was killed in a terrorist attack in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 2; and
    Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India.

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