"Bush to Visit Pakistan, India in March/ Pakistani PM Plays Down Tension"

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Tuesday that the United States and Pakistan are working closely to defeat terrorism, but he did not comment on the deadly U.S. airstrikes that have strained relations between the two countries.

Bush met in the Oval Office with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, a visit that comes as many in the Islamic nation are blasting the U.S. for a Jan. 13 airstrike that was aimed at an al-Qaida leader but instead killed at least 13 civilians, including women and children.

"The relationship with Pakistan is a vital relationship for the United States," Bush said. "I want to thank the prime minister and thank the president for working closely with us on a variety of issues. We're working closely to defeat the terrorists that would likely to harm America and harm Pakistan."

Bush announced that he would visit Pakistan and India in March.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20060124/D8FB69R01.html

"Pakistani PM Plays Down Tension With U.S."

WASHINGTON (AP) - Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz brushed aside tensions with the United States as he prepared for a meeting Tuesday with President Bush.

Aziz's trip to the White House comes at a strained point in U.S.-Pakistani relations, with many in the Islamic nation blasting the U.S. for a Jan. 13 airstrike in a remote area of northern Pakistan that killed at least 13 civilians, including women and children.

During a speech Monday at the Heritage Foundation, Aziz played down deteriorating relations, calling America "our friend and ally."

"Whenever our relations have declined, both countries have paid a price," he told an audience at the conservative think tank. "The stability of the region demands a ... constructive, long-term relationship between our two countries."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20060124/D8FATD3O3.html