On the heels of the Bush-Musharraf meetings and the general exchange of accolades between the two presidents last weekend, the White House reiterated that Islamabad’s commitment to chasing terrorists. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at the Dec. 6 briefing that, “the Pakistani troops are doing a tremendous job to go after those Al Qaeda members, and they continue to pursue them. They are pursuing them all along that border region. We appreciate the sacrifices that have been made by Pakistani troops, and we are continuing to work very closely with President Musharraf and the Pakistani leadership to go after these terrorists.”

He also added in another context, “...we have very good relationships with Pakistan and India. We have –– they’re not exclusive of each other. We work very closely with both countries, and we will continue to do so. He (President Bush) had a good meeting with President Musharraf, and he has good meetings with India’s leadership, as well. And he looks forward to continuing to talk to Prime Minister Singh about our relations and about how we can all work together on our common priorities.”

The State Department also reinforced its kudos for Pakistan, countering any notion that the northwest frontier of Pakistan was somehow not being adequately policed. “I would take issue with, you know, the notion that somehow there’s a big problem area. To the contrary, I think that we have high praise and great appreciation and respect and admiration for what the Pakistani forces are doing in the areas, in their territory, to take the fight to the terrorists in Waziristan and in the other parts of the country where terrorists are active,” said spokesman Adam Ereli at the Dec. 6. press briefing. “They have lost many of their own men. They are relentless and they are committed and they are making a difference.”

He questioned reports that Islamabad had downsized its attacks on Al Qaeda followers in the northwest. “I think those are speculation based on incomplete understanding and ignore the –– and neglect to –– and ignore the big picture, which is that Pakistan, under Musharraf, and the Pakistani people are committed and fully engaged in taking the fight to the terrorists.”