Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Powell Presses India, Pakistan for De-escalation

Aired January 15, 2002 - 06:11   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In the news today -- continuing on, I should say -- as he leaves today for talks in the region, Secretary of State Colin Powell is calling on India and Pakistan to withdraw troops from their border.

CNN's Kitty Pilgrim has some perspective on the latest tensions between the nuclear rivals.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KITTY PILGRIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Along the India- Pakistan border, the biggest mobilization in 30 years. Hundreds of thousands of troops; reportedly, 200,000 from Pakistan and more than triple that on the India side.

Pakistan's President Musharraf reportedly went to a front line position Monday to observe. Secretary of State Colin Powell heads for the region Tuesday to consult with both sides. But the State Department says the situation remains dangerous.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The last thing we want to see happen right now in South Asia is a war between these two nuclear armed states. President Musharraf has done more than just speak. He is taking action.

PILGRIM: Pakistani President Musharraf's speech Saturday was seen by the international community and India as a litmus test of Pakistan's intention towards terrorists. Musharraf banned five militant groups; and a police sweep, which began shortly after, netted, according to Pakistan, some 1,500 Islamic militants.

Not enough for India, which refuses to de-escalate the standoff until quote, "cross border terrorism comes to a stop," unquote. The situation has escalated since December 13th, when armed gunmen -- India claims who are from Pakistan -- attacked the Indian parliament.

Pakistan says it must keep defenses up on its borders. While Indian troops remain so close, Pakistan is vulnerable. Both because it is outnumbered, and some key cities, including Islamabad, are close to the border.

DAVID ALBRIGHT, INSTITUTE FOR SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL SECURITY: India has a much larger army than Pakistan. And that's part of the problem -- is that in a sense, Pakistan is outgunned, conventionally, and it tries to use nuclear weapons to equalize and to deter India from invading. Or, if it does invade, from getting very far before it stops. And that's a very risky strategy.

PILGRIM: There is also the possibility that war could be accidentally triggered by some mistake or miscalculation, which would insight retaliation. The sheer amount of fire power lined up on the border make diplomacy not only necessary, but critical at this time.

Kitty Pilgrim, CNN Financial News, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com