Pervez Musharraf, left, and George W. Bush

President Bush says Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has agreed to help the United States fight terrorism worldwide.

The two leaders met at the White House Wednesday and Mr. Bush said Pakistan is now a "key partner" in the international anti-terrorism coalition.

Pervez Musharraf

President Musharraf said he is reasonably certain Daniel Pearl, the American journalist kidnapped in Pakistan three weeks ago is still alive. Mr. Musharraf says his government is doing everything possible to gain Mr. Pearl's release. He also said Mr. Pearl may have been abducted in response to Pakistan's crackdown on Muslim extremists.

A massive hunt has so far failed to turn up the reporter, who was kidnapped in Karachi. But Tuesday, the Islamabad government announced the arrest of a chief suspect in the kidnapping. Mr. Bush and President Musharraf also discussed Pakistan's tense relations with India over the disputed Kashmir region. India accuses Pakistan of promoting terrorism in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, a charge Pakistan denies.

Also Wednesday, Mr. Musharraf met with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to discuss military cooperation and steps to ensure stability in Afghanistan. Mr. Rumsfeld praised Mr. Musharraf for making several tough decisions in the fight against terrorism.

Thursday, Mr. Musharraf is expected to meet with U.S. Congress members and Secretary of State Colin Powell before heading back to Pakistan.

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