Bush and Pakistan's premier agree to fight 'terrorism'

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, May 18, 2008 (AFP) — US President George W. Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday pledged at their first meeting to combat "terrorism", but gave no public indication of a future joint policy.

Washington has been concerned by the change in policy since the Pakistani coalition government was formed six weeks ago and began talks with the Taliban, whom US and NATO troops are fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The Taliban, driven from power by a US invasion in 2001, is also active on the border tribal zone which also operates as a rear base for the conflict in Afghanistan and where the Pakistani army has fought the hardline Islamists.

Bush only indirectly raised US unease saying that he and Gilani held a "very...