11 January 2002

Bush Orders Powell To India And Pakistan

White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters January 11 that President Bush, concerned over the continuing threat of military confrontation between India and Pakistan, has asked Secretary of State Colin Powell to travel to region next week.

Prior to Powell's visit, Pakistani President Musharraf is expected to deliver what Fleischer characterized as "an important speech," which will be monitored closely by Washington.

"The President continues to call on all the parties to recognize the importance of working to fight terrorism. India and Pakistan have a mutual enemy in terrorists, not in each other," Fleischer said.

Question: Ari, on another matter, has the President phoned either Prime Minister Vajpayee or President Musharraf? And is he concerned about some of the statements that came out of India today, out of the region? There was particularly bellicose statements today.

Mr. Fleischer: When did you say he called them?

Question: Did he call them today? And is he concerned about the comments from -- I think it was India's Army Chief of Staff, one of the senior military officials today, saying that India is fully prepared for war, prepared to respond to a nuclear strike if it comes to that and some

Mr. Fleischer: Well, the President remains concerned about the region. As you know, Secretary Powell is traveling there at the President's direction. And the President continues to call on all the parties to recognize the importance of working to fight terrorism. India and Pakistan have a mutual enemy in terrorists, not in each other.

And Secretary Powell will be visiting the region as a sign of the importance the administration attaches to this. Concerns remain. President Musharraf is going to be giving a speech this weekend. This will be an important speech. The President looks forward to hearing it. And President Musharraf has made progress in cracking down on terrorists and extremists.

Question: Well, the Indian Home Minister was saying yesterday that, with all due respect to the President's overtures of encouraging President Musharraf to do more, India will wait to see actions. What did the President think of that --

Mr. Fleischer: President Musharraf has taken action, has arrested the leaders, cracked down, closed the offices of some of the terrorist organizations. And he will be giving an important address this weekend.

Question: But the point the Home Minister was making is that that has not yet met a threshold of trust for India. So what does the President --

Mr. Fleischer: The President believes that President Musharraf has made important progress in cracking down. It's important for more activity to be undertaken and the President is looking forward to listening to the speech.

Question: There's no concern, though, based over the past couple of days of statements?

Mr. Fleischer: Ongoing state of concern.