Bush meets Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani

(28 Jul 2008) 1. US President George W. Bush and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani walking toward reporters 2. Cutaway assembled media 3. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, United States President: "The United States supports the democracy and supports the sovereignty of Pakistan." 4. Cutaway, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with member of Pakistani delegation 5. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, United States President: "And of course, we talked about the common threat we face: extremists who are very dangerous people. We talked about the need for us to make sure that the Afghan border is secure as best as possible; Pakistan has made a very strong commitment to that." 6. Cutaway Rice in discussion 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, United States President: "And we also appreciate the Prime Minister's strong words against the extremists and terrorists who not only would do us harm but have harmed people inside Pakistan." 8. Side view of Bush and Gilani 9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Prime Minister: "And I appreciate what he has said about supporting democracy, supporting sovereignty, looking after the interests and on a lot of other areas, there's a cooperation between us." 10. Cutaway Bush and Gilani 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Prime Minister: "We want to further improve our relations. We are committed to fight against those extremists and terrorists who are destroying and making the world not safe." 12. Cutaway of assembled media 13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Prime Minister: And there are few militants, there are hand-picked people, militants, who are disturbing this peace. And I assured Mr. President we'll work together for democracy and for the prosperity and peace of the world. Thank you very much." 14. Bush and Gilani shaking hands and walking towards White House STORYLINE: US President George W. Bush on Monday praised Pakistan's prime minister for being committed to their joint battle against extremists. Following a private, Oval Office meeting, Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani talked to reporters gathered on the South Lawn of the White House. Appearing upbeat, they sought to publicly ensure their constituencies that the US-Pakistan bond is tight and intact despite tensions between Washington and Islamabad. Bush said both he and Pakistan's prime minister want to prevent the Pakistan-Afghanistan border from becoming a refuge for militants. The president said their meeting was constructive, as he expected it would be. "I appreciate what he has said about supporting democracy, supporting sovereignty, looking after the interests and on a lot of other areas we are, there's a cooperation between us,'' Bush told reporters. Bush praised Gilani for leading a strong commitment to securing the border with Afghanistan. The vote of confidence came as US officials have called for Pakistan to stop militants from staging cross-border attacks on US forces in Afghanistan. For his part, the Gilani said he wants the American people to know that Pakistanis want peace, and want to cooperate with the United States. "We want to further improve our relations. We are committed to fight against those extremists and terrorists who are destroying and making the world not safe," he said. The two did not, however, mention the latest deadly strike in Pakistan: a missile that hit a religious school just inside Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. Details about the strike, included who was responsible for it and who was targeted, remained murky. Musharraf. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...