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American Morning
India and Pakistan Ease Tensions
Aired January 01, 2002 - 08:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Pakistan has taken another step toward defusing the volatile situation with India. Authorities arrested some of the people India blames for the suicide attack on its parliament December 13.
CNN's Tom Mintier is Islamabad, Pakistan, he joins us live. Good morning to you, Tom. Good evening where you are, and happy new year.
TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Happy new year to you, Martin.
Yes, that list of 20 suspects on the December 13 attack on parliament was handed over by India to Pakistan. A list of 20 -- what India calls terrorists, but Pakistan has said already at the foreign ministry briefing this afternoon that no evidence was provided by India, and they will not go out and arrest these 20 people unless India does, indeed, provide the evidence.
On the diplomatic side, it was announced also late this afternoon that the president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, will travel on Thursday to Beijing for meetings in China. He will stay there on Thursday, and then Friday morning travel on to Katmandu in Nepal for a South Asian summit. That's where all eyes will be focused on, waiting to see if either at the foreign ministry level or the head of state level there is, indeed, attempts to defuse the situation here.
Also announced by the Pakistani government, the British prime minister, Tony Blair, will come to Islamabad on the 7th and 8th of January in a possible effort to mediate the situation. There have been lots of phone calls going back and forth between world leaders and -- and both Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Musharraf in the last few days. And out of the foreign ministry today, saying that they are indeed still ready, still waiting, still willing to find a way out of this by negotiation.
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AZIZ AHMED KHAN, PAKISTANI FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKESMAN: We hope that the situation will be contained and the -- the Indian side will not escalate the situation. And our reasonable offer of sitting across the table and resolving the problem would be taken up. There are opportunities which would be present shortly at Katmandu. We will welcome that opportunity if there is a move from the other side.
(END VIDEOTAPE) MINTIER: But at the same time, there are accusations that the military balance has been moved again. The high level official of the Pakistani military saying that India has moved more troops into forward positions, re-deployed their air force and naval assets in a more threatening manner. They say it's something that they're watching hour by hour to see where these troops are, not commenting about their re-deployment of troops to match what India has done. But there's little doubt that Pakistan has taken measures along its eastern border to defend itself if attacked -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Tom, we have the feeling that the words coming from both sides indicated an easing of tension. But the military actions, at least those you described, would suggest otherwise. Is Pakistan fearful on some intent on the part of India?
MINTIER: Well, I think that it is quite natural that they might be. You know, they've already fought three battles -- three wars previously about Kashmir. So when the troops move, the military watches very closely. It's much different than the diplomatic dance that's going on on the sidelines of the South Asia summit later this week. So I think the military, because they're so close both sides, that if one acts, the other has little time to react. They don't have time to move assets into position to defend themselves. So when one side moves, the other side moves at almost the same time.
The Indian defense ministry has denied that they have moved any new assets along the line of control, saying that the re-deployment that they were seeking in the previous few days is nearly completed, and that no new assets had been moved. This was something that was disputed, of course, by the Pakistanis.
SAVIDGE: Well, it is always a danger when you have two large armies eye to eye out there. Just a spark is all it takes. Tom Mintier, thank you very much.
It has been nearly a month now since the U.S. government issued the most recent terrorist alert. Americans know all to well that their homeland is a potential target. The Associated Press asked Americans about the likelihood of more attacks against major U.S. cities, buildings or national landmarks. Forty-seven percent of those polled said that it was somewhat likely. Twenty-three percent said it was very likely, and just six percent said it was not likely at all.
In the United States, New York City has a new major. Michael Bloomberg took over the reigns just one minute after midnight. If you missed that ceremony - I did - he'll be sworn in again just in a few hours.
CNN's Jason Carroll is in New York this morning with details. Good morning, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Marty.
I think a lot of us missed that ceremony last night, at least all of those who had - who had to get up early. We're out here waiting for the inauguration of Michael Bloomberg, as you said. As we've been standing out here in a very chilly morning, some of the workers in preparation have been putting blankets on some of the chairs out here.
This is an invitation-only event. But last night there was a - very much more of a public ceremonial swearing in, if you will. That was done in Times Square. Mayor Rudy Giuliani did the honors as the ceremonial handing over of power took place in Times Square in front of thousands of people who packed into Times Square to see the ball drop. It was an emotional moment seeing the two men sharing the state there in front of thousands.
Mayor Bloomberg faces a number of challenges as he takes over the reigns for the city. There is the rebuilding of downtown; the city is facing a $4 billion deficit, cuts are going to have to be made. His inaugural speech will touch on some of those issues. He'll also touch on themes such as education reform, crime in the city and quality of life issues in the city as well.
Bette Midler will be singing the national anthem down here at city hall. The New York City master of ceremonies will be Mets' pitcher Al Leiter down here, as the city celebrates a new year and a new mayor - Marty.
SAVIDGE: Jason, if I'm keeping count correctly, this is the third time - it will be the third time - that Michael Bloomberg is sworn in.
CARROLL: Yes.
SAVIDGE: Well, why is that?
CARROLL: Well, let's go over that. Yesterday, early in the afternoon, we had the official, if you will, swearing in. That was done at the city clerk's office. Then, later on, you saw last night we had the mayor doing the ceremonial handing over of power. And this is the - sort of the big event, the inaugural event, where Mayor Bloomberg's 100 or so - or several hundred of his closest friends - can show up and see it done officially here down at city hall. This is the big apple, people here like to do things in a big way.
SAVIDGE: Well, maybe the third time will be the charm. All right. Jason Carroll, thanks very much.
Michael Bloomberg's official inauguration ceremony takes place in just a couple of hours. As you heard, you can watch the swearing in right here on CNN. Our live coverage begins at noon eastern time, and, of course, that's 9:00 AM out on the West Coast.
Well, still to come, playing politics again. What to watch for in the coming year? And how's your health? We have a close look at herbal remedies and what they really do. But, first, a look at some of the new year's celebrations from around the world.
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