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In U.N. Speech, Bush Focuses on Terrorism
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In addition to his speech, Bush had a variety of private meetings, one on the global food crisis, and a luncheon session with leading dissidents from around the world. He also met with new Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain politician Benazir Bhutto, in a session that focused on the fight against Islamic radicals along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks over U.S. concerns that Pakistan is not waging a strong enough battle there and Pakistani anger over U.S. incursions on its sovereignty.
But a senior Pakistani official familiar with the meeting said that the two leaders got along well, and that Bush made no demands for special action by Zardari and showed understanding of the need to avoid military action that could inflame Pakistani public opinion.
U.S. officials declined to discuss the private meeting, but Bush told Zardari beforehand, "Your words have been very strong about Pakistan's sovereign right and sovereign duty to protect your country, and the United States wants to help."
"President Bush showed recognition of President Zardari's personal commitment for fighting terrorism," said Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. "He also acknowledged Pakistan's concerns about our sovereignty while pointing out that the United States only wants to take steps that would strengthen Pakistan's ability to fight terrorism, not create political difficulties."
Bush also addressed other hot-button issues during the day. In his General Assembly speech, he upbraided Russia, calling its invasion of Georgia a "violation" of the U.N. Charter, which sets forth the "equal rights of nations large and small."
Russia's actions in Georgia -- and the U.S. condemnation -- have severely strained relations between Moscow and Washington. Russia balked Tuesday at a meeting of foreign ministers this week to discuss a new round of international sanctions against Iran for failing to come clean on its nuclear programs. The meeting was canceled Tuesday night.
In a statement, Russia said it saw no need during "this extremely packed week at the General Assembly, to make us toss everything else aside and urgently meet to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue."
A senior U.S. official said, "We're obviously in a rocky period in our relations with the Russians."
