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CNN Live Saturday

U.S. Army to Take Over from the Marines in Kandahar

Aired December 29, 2001 - 16:04   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: As the U.S. and its allies wage a war on terrorism, tension is building between two neighbors in the region: India and Pakistan. Today thousands of Pakistanis packed their bags and fled towns and villages along the border, fearing war. The two countries are pointing fingers and facing off with the largest military buildup on the border in 15 years.

CNN's Major Garrett has been following President Bush, who has been trying to do what he can to diffuse the crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From his ranch in Crawford, Texas, the president telephoned the leaders of India and Pakistan appealing again for calm between the two nuclear armed powers. The president has been monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan for days here in Crawford.

And the news just keeps getting worse. On Saturday Indians and Pakistanis living along the border began to flee in panic fearing an all-out war. And Pakistan moved some troops from the Afghan border in preparation for a possible attack by India.

Those troops were stationed on the Afghan border to intercept fleeing al Qaeda and Taliban forces, something that cannot please the Bush White House. Tensions have been simmering between India and Pakistan for decades, but they reached a crisis point in mid December when there was a terrorist attack on the Indian parliament. India has since blamed terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan and urged the Pakistani government to arrest terrorist cells.

The Pakistani government has arrested about 50 terrorists. But India says it is just not enough. President Bush appealed to calm for both nations and urged the Pakistani government to do all it can to combat terrorism within its own country. The president on Friday, here in Crawford, praised the efforts so far by the Pakistani government.

Now, India, using the same logic the United States has, says it has every right to strike militarily against Pakistan, since it has been attacked by terrorists. The White House wants to be sympathetic to Pakistan, who has been a stout ally of the United States since the September 11 terrorist attacks. But President Bush knows full well he cannot turn his back on India, the world's largest democracy, and remain a credible proponent of democracy worldwide. That is why he has urged Pakistan to do all it can to defeat terrorism within its country.

Major Garrett, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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