The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Crawford

President Bush stepped up praise of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf Saturday, hailing "positive steps" the general took by promising to lift emergency rule, resign as army chief and hold elections. Indeed, Bush refused to pointedly criticize Musharraf at a joint news conference here with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, continuing the cautious and measured response he's embraced in the week since Musharraf imposed the crackdown. Bush did, however, dodge a question whether Musharraf's moves, seen by many as an attempt to cling to power, constitute a dangerous distraction from the battle against al-Qaida insurgents. Speaking after two days of meetings with Merkel, the president said he has confidence in the commitment of Pakistan's leadership to stick with the U.S. in the fight against global terrorism. "We share a common goal," Bush said. Musharraf aligned himself with Washington after the Sept. 11 attacks on U.S. soil, Bush noted, suggesting the Pakistani has given him no reason to doubt him since that decision. In fact, Bush added, several al-Qaida leaders have been brought to justice, "and that wouldn't have happened without President Musharraf honoring his word."