WASHINGTON, March 5: Reviewing his visit to South Asia, which concluded on Saturday, US President George W. Bush once again praised President Pervez Musharraf as a leader who made “the right choice” for his people.

In his weekly radio address which covers his visits to Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, Mr Bush devoted three paragraphs to praising President Musharraf but there’s only half a sentence about Pakistan, describing it as “another important ally in the war on terror”.

Mr Bush said that after 9/11, President Musharraf could “turn a blind eye and leave his people hostage to the terrorists, or he could join the free world in fighting the terrorists”.

President Musharraf “made the right choice for his people and America appreciates his leadership,” he added.

The US president noted that since joining the fight against terror, President Musharraf had faced several attempts on his life, “yet he has not faltered”.

The Pakistani president, Mr Bush said, understood that the terrorists were a threat to the peace and security of the Pakistani people and the world.

Mr Bush hoped that America’s relations with Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan would enhance the security of his country as well. By working with these leaders and the people of these three nations, he said he had seized the opportunities this new century offered and was helping to lay the foundations of peace and prosperity for generations to come.

Mr Bush said that during his short, four-hour visit to Afghanistan, he was thrilled to “see first-hand the incredible transformation that has taken place there”.

“Before September the 11th, 2001, Afghanistan was ruled by a cruel regime that oppressed its people, brutalised women, and gave safe haven to the terrorists who attacked America.

“Today, the terror camps have been shut down; women are working; boys and girls are back in school; and 25 million people have now tasted freedom. The Afghan people are building a vibrant young democracy that is an ally in the war on terror. And America is proud to have such a freedom.”

Talking about his visit to India, Mr Bush said that like America, India also has endured terrorist attacks and like America, India was also a democracy that understood that the best way to ensure peace was to advance freedom.

“And like America, India is working to help nations like Afghanistan build the institutions of a free and democratic society,” he added.

Mr Bush said one important aspect of America’s partnership with India was working together to meet the energy needs of these two growing economies, especially through the use of clean and safe nuclear power.

“On my trip, the United States and India reached an historic agreement to share civilian nuclear technology as India brings its civilian nuclear programmes under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This agreement is good for American security because it will bring India’s civilian nuclear programme into the international non-proliferation mainstream.

“The agreement also is good for the American economy. The agreement will help meet India’s surging energy needs, and that will lessen India’s growing demand for other energy supplies and help restrain energy prices for American consumers.”

US MEDIA: In a report titled “Bush rewards ally Pakistan with visit,” the Washington Post noted that in Islamabad Mr Bush’s motorcade was protected by three helicopters that circled overhead as he rode from the heavily fortified US Embassy compound, where he spent the night, to see President Musharraf.

“Anti-American sentiment runs deep here, and protests by thousands flared in cities across the country in anticipation of Mr Bush’s visit,” the Post said.

International Herald Tribune noted that unlike President Clinton, who slipped into Islamabad in 2000 for six hours on an unmarked military jet, “Mr Bush arrived with a roar on Air Force One. Although the most recognisable 747 in the world landed with its running lights off and shades drawn, making it a harder target for any ground-launched missile.”

The newspaper pointed out that Mr Bush also stayed the night at the fortress-like American ambassador’s residence, even after a suicide bombing in Karachi had killed four people, including a US consulate employee, the day before.

“India, where Bush spent two packed days, embraced him in a way the president hasn’t experienced — in South America, Europe and other parts of Asia - in a very long time,” the report said.

The newspaper quoted Andrew Card Jr., the White House chief of staff, as saying that after his open-air speech in New Delhi at a 16th century fort, Mr Bush told him that he had been “dazzled” by the spectacle of “this vibrant and exciting land”.