UNITED NATIONS, Sept 10: US President George W. Bush will hold only three bilateral meetings with international leaders, including Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, during his shortened stay at the UN General Assembly next week in order to oversee relief work for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Mr Bush is struggling to fend off allegations that his administration purposely ignored the hurricane victims because most of them were African-Americans.

Besides President Musharraf, Mr Bush is expected to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

However, US and Indian officials could not confirm any bilateral meeting between Mr Bush and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN summit. In June, Mr Singh met Mr Bush at the White House.

As is the tradition, the US president — as the host country for the United Nations — will hold a reception for almost 179 heads of government in New York where he will get an opportunity to shake hands and speak with them for a minute or two.

Mr Bush will also attend a luncheon on Sept 14 at the United Nations before a lengthy photo-op there. He is expected to leave for New Orleans after that.

During his visit, Mr Bush will sign the International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, which opens for signatures on Sept 14. It will be the first terrorism convention signed since the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.

The convention, which will strengthen the growing global legal counter-terrorism framework, requires the prosecution and extradition of those dealing with nuclear materials for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts, helps international cooperation and includes safeguards for dealing with nuclear materials.