Bush Vows to Help Bhutto’s Afghan Effort

President Bush, amid praise for Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s efforts to aid the Afghan resistance, pledged today to join her in exploring “any serious avenue” to a political solution to the bloody conflict in Afghanistan.

“Prime Minister Bhutto and I reviewed the situation in Afghanistan. . . . We agreed . . . that the job is not done,” Bush said of the Afghan rebels’ struggle to topple the Marxist regime in Kabul.

The two leaders met for an hour with the Afghan situation the centerpiece of their discussions.

Reconsider Strategy

Although many U.S. officials had expected the Soviet-backed Kabul regime to fall shortly after the withdrawal of Red Army troops in February, the rebel forces have been unable to topple the regime of Najibullah. That has forced the Administration to reconsider its strategy in the troubled region.

Pakistan, the third-largest recipient of U.S. aid, has cooperated closely with the United States in aiding the Afghan rebel effort to topple the Kabul government.

Bhutto, in her departure remarks, called her talks with Bush “instructive and fruitful,” adding in regard to the Afghan situation, “We are in complete accord with future policies.”

Earlier, the two leaders exchanged warm remarks during the formal welcoming ceremony, held under gray skies on the South Lawn of the White House.

Bush pledged to “chart new ways to strengthen old bonds” with Pakistan, greeting Bhutto as the living symbol of the renewal of democracy in her strategic nation.

‘New Ideas’

“The day of the dictator is over,” Bhutto declared.

The President noted that they are both new in their posts.

“Let us craft new ideas, new initiatives to meet the challenges of a changing world,” Bush said.

He described Bhutto as “a living symbol of those who risk all and sacrifice much so that others might know democracy and freedom.”

Attired in a traditional white shawl, tunic and pants, the prime minister replied that she came to Washington to begin “discussions of a new relationship” as both nations work to meet the “new challenges (that) confront us in the closing but complex phase of the Afghan war.”

The Washington Post reported today that the Bush Administration is considering the sale of 60 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan at a cost of $1.4 billion, but the two leaders made no mention of any such agreement in their welcoming remarks.

While Bush did not mention the ongoing Afghan rebel effort in his initial remarks, he repeatedly praised Bhutto’s battle to return her nation to democratic rule. She assumed her duties six months ago following her party’s victory in national elections.