Bush says hunt for bin Laden has not slackened

Washington, Sep 16: President George W. Bush on Friday dismissed as an ''urban myth'' the idea that his administration has become distracted from the effort to track down al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Bush, who commemorated the fifth anniversary of September 11 with a visit to New York this week, has come under attack by Democrats for failing to capture bin Laden when there was a chance in late 2001.

The Washington Post reported that the search for bin Laden had gone ''stone cold'' and Democrats also contend the Iraq war has shifted resources and attention away from that hunt.

''You know, there is a kind of an urban myth here in Washington about how this administration hasn't stayed focused on Osama bin Laden,'' Bush said at a news conference. ''Forget it. It's convenient throw-away lines, you know, when people say that.'' Bush has sought to emphasize national security as a top issue in the upcoming congressional elections and has given a series of speeches casting the Iraq war as a crucial part of the broader war on terrorism.

But Democrats, who are seeking to overturn Republican dominance in Congress, say Iraq has instead proved to be a distraction in the struggle against terrorism.

Bin Laden, al Qaeda's elusive spiritual leader, is believed to be hiding in the mountains along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Pressed on why he opposed the idea of sending a large contingent of special forces to Pakistan to hunt bin Laden, Bush said his strategy was to work with Pakistan's government.

''First of all, Pakistan is a sovereign nation,'' Bush said.

''In order for us to send thousands of troops into a sovereign nation, we've got to be invited by the government of Pakistan.

''Secondly, the best way to find somebody who is hiding is to enhance your intelligence and to spend the resources necessary to do that.'' Bush has scheduled meetings this month with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Reuters