Bush describes Musharraf , Karzai as courageous leaders

Washington, Sep 24 (UNI) U S President Bush has called Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai as the ''courageous leaders'' with whom he will have a meeting at White House next week.

''It is in America's interest to help him (Musharraf) succeed,'' U S President Bush said in his weekly radio-address yesterday.

The White House meeting is aimed at defusing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan arising out of their differences in dealing with Taliban extremists active in the border areas of the two countries.

Mr Bush said, ''These two leaders (Musharraf and Karzai) are working to defeat the forces of terrorism and extremism. Under President Musharraf, Pakistan is siding with the forces of freedom and moderation and helping to defend the civilized world.'' He said, ''Many Pakistani forces have given their lives in the fight against terrorists. President Musharraf understands the stakes in the war on terror because the extremists have tried more than once to assassinate him.

They know he's a threat to their aspirations because he's working to build modern democratic institutions that could provide an alternative to radicalism, Mr Bush said.

In Afghanistan, Mr Bush pointed out, ''President Karzai continues the work of building a safer and brighter future for his nation.

Today, forces from more than 40 countries, including members of the NATO Alliance, are bravely serving side-by-side with Afghan forces.

These forces are fighting the extremists who want to bring down the free government that the people of Afghanistan have established.'' Mr Bush said, ''America and its allies will continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan as they defend their democratic gains.

Working with President Karzai's government, we will defeat the enemies of a free Afghanistan and help the Afghan people build a nation that will never again oppress them or be a safe haven for terrorists.'' He said, ''the United States has chosen to stand with moderates and reformers in the broader Middle East in an effort to create a world in which the voices of moderation are empowered, and where the extremists are marginalised.'' UNI XC SRS BS0810