by Declan Walsh
The Bush administration is scrambling to engage with Pakistan's new rulers
as power flows from its strong ally, President Pervez Musharraf, to a
powerful civilian government buoyed by anti-American sentiment.
Top diplomats John Negroponte and Richard Boucher travelled to a mountain
fortress near the Afghan border yesterday as part of a hastily announced
visit that has received a tepid reception.
On Tuesday, senior coalition partner Nawaz Sharif gave the visiting
Americans a public scolding for using Pakistan as a "killing field" and
relying too much on Musharraf.
Yesterday the new prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, said he warned
President George Bush in a phone conversation that he would prioritise
talking as well as shooting in the battle against Islamist extremism. "He
said that a comprehensive approach is required in this regard, specially
combining a political approach with development," a statement said.
But Gilani also reassured Bush that Pakistan would "continue to fight
against terrorism", it said. . . .
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militants welcome talks with new government'," International Herald
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