Bush urges better Pakistan-Afghan cooperation

WASHINGTON, Sep 28 (Reuters) President George W Bush urged the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to improve cooperation in fighting terrorism as he mediated talks aimed at easing tensions between the two US allies.

Bush spoke as he stood between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who have traded barbs in recent days over who is at fault for security lapses along the rugged border between their countries.

Musharraf maintained a serious expression, while Karzai smiled slightly during Bush's statement in the White House Rose Garden.

They did not shake hands.

''Today's dinner is a chance for us to strategize together, to talk about the need to cooperate, to make sure that people have got a hopeful future,'' Bush said yesterday.

Musharraf and Karzai have accused each other of not doing enough to combat extremists amid a Taliban resurgence that has spawned the worst violence in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled the Islamist hard-liners five years ago.

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding in the remote Afghan-Pakistan border area, but Musharraf and Karzai have each said he was in the other's country.

They flung similar charges about the location of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

''As we work for a more hopeful world, we will continue to make sure that extremists, such as Osama bin Laden, that wants to hurt my friend here, as well as upset the democracy in Afghanistan, is brought to justice,'' Bush said, referring to assassination attempts against Musharraf.

Bush called the two leaders ''personal friends'' and emphasized they faced common challenges and must work together.

''They understand that the forces of moderation are being challenged by extremists and radicals,'' he said.

During a tw0 and half-hour dinner of spicy sea bass across a round table, Karzai and Musharraf spoke directly to each other and individually to Bush, a senior administration official said.

He described the exchanges as cordial and frank.

Karzai and Musharraf had exchanged warm greetings with good humor earlier in the Oval Office and shook hands before leaving for the night, the official said on condition of anonymity.

''They committed to supporting moderation and defeating extremism through greater intelligence sharing, coordinated action against terrorists, and common efforts to enhance the prosperity of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan,'' White House spokesman Tony Snow said in a statement.

Musharraf discussed initiatives in the tribal region to improve governance, economic development and security, while Karzai discussed efforts to improve security, governance, and accelerate development throughout Afghanistan, Snow said.

COMPLAINTS In the past week Musharraf and Karzai have publicly complained about each other's handling of security.

Karzai says Taliban fighters carrying out armed attacks inside his country are being sheltered in Pakistan.

Musharraf has touted an agreement reached this month with pro-Taliban tribesmen in the North Waziristan region as anti-Taliban. Critics are concerned the pact would allow militants to find refuge in the semi-autonomous region.

The resurgent Taliban has become an issue in the November 7 US congressional elections because Democrats charge Bush shortchanged Afghanistan in order to pour troops and money into the Iraq war.

In separate CNN interviews, Karzai said Musharraf must take more action against madrassas, or religious schools, that are training extremists, while Musharraf accused Karzai of ''turning a blind eye like an ostrich.'' REUTERS SAM VC100