*EPF204 06/11/2002
Powell Notes Easing of Indian, Pakistani Tensions
(Says U.S. engagement in settlement a priority) (610)

By Judy Aita
Washington File Staff Writer

New York -- Saying that the U.S. is pleased with the relaxation of tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, Secretary of State Colin Powell stressed June 10 that "the situation is still very tense" and the United States will remain engaged in trying to avert war.

During a major foreign policy speech to the Asia Society, Powell discussed the recent developments in South Asia and international efforts to defuse the tensions between India and Pakistan.

"I am pleased that all sides now see that infiltration across the line of control, attacks across the line of control, have changed in terms of intensity. The shelling, the rate of shelling across the line of control, has also abated somewhat," the secretary said.

"Two weeks ago, we got assurances from President Musharraf that he would cease infiltration activity across the line of control. We passed those assurances on to the Indian side," he said. Over the weekend the U.S. got further assurances that "the cessation of activity would be visible and would be permanent and would be followed by other activities that had to do with the dismantling of the camps that led to the capacity to conduct these kinds of operations."

"I am very pleased that the Indians received this assurance from President Musharraf, and Prime Minister Vajpayee and other Indian leaders in recent days have used this assurance to start to take additional moves that relieve the tension that exists in the region," the secretary said.

"The announcement that India was opening up air traffic corridors again with Pakistan is a welcome one. We have also received indications that the Indian fleet is moving away from potential confrontation with Pakistan," Powell said.

"I am pleased to note that the Indians have named their new high commissioner to Pakistan, who of course will be accredited in due course," he said.

"In response, Pakistan has welcomed these moves, and I expect tomorrow that President Musharraf will give us further indications of how welcome these moves are," Powell said.

But the secretary said that the changes were only "a step down the ladder" and there is much more to do. "We are still in a period of crisis. The situation is still very tense," he said.

"I can just assure you tonight that the United States will remain engaged. President Bush has given us a top priority and instructed us to do everything we can to find a way forward that will lead to stability and peace, and not to war," Powell said.

Washington has told both India and the Pakistan that "the United States will remain engaged, working with the international coalition, to find a way forward, to find a way to begin discussions between the two sides, to begin dialogue," the secretary said.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will be continuing talks with both India and Pakistan after his arrival in the region June 11 in an effort "to bring this situation down to a point where serious de-escalation can start, where the mobilization of the Indian forces can now go in the other direction, as well as the mobilization of Pakistani forces," Powell said.

The easing of tension has been the result of extensive diplomatic efforts for months by the Bush Administration, United Kingdom, European Union, Russia, and China to emphasize to both countries that the crisis must be solved politically, he pointed out.

"One lesson in all of this is how the international community can come together and recognize a danger and work together to avert the consequences of that danger," Powell said.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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