Bush at greatest physical threat ever in Pak

     Washington: US President George W Bush's one-day trip to Pakistan has been described as posing the greatest physical threat to the US President since he "took office". Richard Clarke, a former counter terrorism official said that the security around President Bush would be extra strong, because if there were any place where there might be an attack on Bush, it would be in Pakistan. "It poses perhaps the greatest physical risk to him since he took office. I'm sure when President Bush arrives there, there will be very special extra security measures because if any place is going to have an attack on the president it is going to be Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted Clarke as saying to ABC News. Major Pakistani cities were the hot bed of Al Qaeda and other militant Islamist groups. Only in the last year, new Al Qaeda training camps have opened inside Pakistan in which Osama Bin Laden is hailed as a hero, and Bush and his Pakistani counterpart General Pervez Musharraf regarded as "infidels", he said.

    Another expert, Alexis Debat has said that Pakistan is "a country with thousands, if not tens of thousands, of militants who have been subcontracted by Al Qaeda, and some of whom rub shoulders with senior members of the military". "The real threat in Pakistan is that someone on the inside, someone in the Pakistani military or intelligence service, might be cooperating with the terrorists. It has happened many times in Pakistan and it is very hard to protect against an inside threat," said Clarke. Debat further said that in 2000, when then US President Bill Clinton visited Pakistan, the Secret Service used elaborate deceits to throw potential assassins off the trail. On that trip the Air Force One flew in without the President, and Clinton flew in on a small, executive jet. From the hotel, two motorcades were used, one as a decoy. The fact that militants carried out a suicide bomb attack outside the US consulate in Karachi has only added to concerns about Bush's safety, they said.

Bush formally begins Pakistan visit

     Islamabad: US President George W Bush and First Lady Laura Bush formally began their two-day visit to Pakistan with a ceremonial reception at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) here on Saturday. A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour to the US President. National anthems of both countries were played as part of the ceremony. Later, President Bush was introduced to dignitaries before he went in for a one to one meeting between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. Bush and Musharraf are likely to discuss Pakistan's role in the U.S.-led global war on terror during the high-profile and high- security visit. Later in the day, Musharraf and Bush will lead their delegations at talks to be held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

    The agenda for talks includes the two countries' strategic relationship, continuing the war against terror, expanding economic and defence cooperation, education and Kashmir. A bilateral investment treaty is expected to be signed. With the signing of the Indo-US civil nuclear treaty, Pakistan is hopeful that at least for the time being the US is not saying a definite 'no' but keeping the possibility open for future. A senior official pleading anonymity told The News: "It is not very clear as yet whether Pakistan will raise this issue on Saturday, but we definitely see an opening in the future for Pakistan." The US first couple arrived in Pakistan late Friday, following an unannounced visit to Afghanistan and three days in India. Air Force One taxied into the Chaklala Air Force Base on the outskirts of Islamabad late on Friday night, its lights off and window shades drawn to conceal the distinctive aircraft. Bush and his wife were received by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and his wife. The Bush's traveled either by limousine or helicopter _ it wasn't immediately clear which to the U.S. Embassy in the heavily fortified diplomatic compound in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, where they spent the night. The security precautions underscored the continuing terrorist threat in this poor, conservative Muslim country where a U.S. diplomat was killed in a bomb attack on Thursday. ``I will meet with President (Gen. Pervez) Musharraf to discuss Pakistan's vital cooperation in the war on terror and our efforts to foster economic and political development so that we can reduce the appeal of radical Islam,'' Bush said shortly before taking off from India for Pakistan. ``I believe that a prosperous, democratic Pakistan will be a steadfast partner for America, a peaceful neighbor for India and a force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world,'' he added.

Imran Khan placed under house arrest

      Islamabad: Pakistani police have placed former cricket captain and leader of the Tahreek-i-Insaf party, Imran Khan under house arrest at his Islamabad home ahead of a planned protest today against U.S. President George W Bush's visit. Police have also rounded up dozens of his party supporters, his spokesman said. Earlier this week, Khan had announced he would lead a rally against Bush, marching to Islamabad from neighboring Rawalpindi. Bush, who is here on a two-day visit, is presently engaged in one-to-one talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. This meeting is being followed by delegation-level talks at which issues like cooperation on the war on terror, bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest to both countries are likely to figure.

China, Pakistan oppose Indo-US N-deal

     Beijing: China and Pakistan have reacted sharply to the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying that it gives India an extra advantage in the field of dual-use high-technology which could ultimately change the balance of power in Asia. China has reportedly launched a campaign against the deal, reaching out to countries like Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Though China has been guarded in its reaction, it has conveyed its unhappiness to states that are not very close to the US, arguing that the Indo-US nuclear deal may destroy non-proliferation efforts. China wants India to fulfill NPT obligations and strengthen the non-proliferation effort, and has indicated that it won't remain a "spectator" in case there is a threat to its preeminence in the region. China fears that if India uses the agreement as a license to expand its weapons programme, Pakistan would be compelled to do the same, and Pakistan has been ignominiously refused a similar deal by the United States.

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