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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Pledges U.S. Cooperation to Pakistan

Aired December 29, 2001 - 18:01   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: We begin with the volatile situation between India and Pakistan. President Bush phoned Pakistan's president and asked him to take new strong steps to rid his nation of terrorists. Mr. Bush also called India's Prime Minister and told him the U.S. would cooperate with their fight against terror. ITN's Helen Wright (ph) has more on the mounting tensions.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HELEN WRIGHT, ITN REPORTER: To the patriotic chant of crowds hundreds strong Indian and Pakistani soldiers stage identical flag lowering ceremonies feet apart on the borderline between the two countries. It is this border region that has grown increasingly tense opposing forces of exchanged gunfire and 18 Indian soldiers have died laying land mines among the border.

As the international community calls for peace talks, Pakistan's President Musharraf has said he is willing to meet the Indian Prime Minister and he says Pakistan will not start a war.

GEN. PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: There is tension on the border, certainly and I would hope certainly that there ought not to be any prospect of war. We do not want war. We want peace in the region, and we want peace on the borders.

WRIGHT: But preparation for war are being made by these neighbors who fought twice before. Pakistani troops have reinforced defensives. Indian soldiers are digging in, and India says it will not talk peace until action is taken against terrorist groups that claims Pakistan is harboring.

There are fears the smallest escalation could be the catalyst for all out conflict.

ABDUL SATTAR: The possibility of an - of a small action would figure a chain of action and reaction leading to conflict that neither side desires.

WRIGHT: Those countries do maintain they will not start a war, but fear if conflict means villages on both sides of the border continue to flee their homes.

Helen Wright, ITN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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