Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

Bush Administration Tries to Resolve India/Pakistan Conflict

Aired December 30, 2001 - 10:08   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: Now to the rising tensions between Pakistan and India. The Bush administration is trying to help resolve the cross-border conflict.

Our John King joins us from the White House with more -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Marty, the President, President Bush at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, urging both leaders, the president of Pakistan and the prime minister of India, to open a political dialogue to de-escalate the rising military tensions along the India-Pakistan border.

Mr. Bush personally getting involved yesterday, after several days of high level diplomacy involving the Secretary of State Colin Powell. Mr. Bush calling the Pakistani President, General Musharraf, we are told in that conversation. He applauded General Musharraf for arresting about 50 militants a few days ago, but said that Pakistan must do more to stop those extremists, Mr. Bush called them, we are told, who are trying to undermine Pakistan and possibly provoke a war.

In his conversation with the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Vajpayee, Mr. Bush promised U.S. support, but again we are told, urged the Indian government to slow down the military buildup to give diplomacy a chance. And the President also speaking to the key U.S. ally in the military campaign in Afghanistan, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr. Blair about to make a trip to south Asia. The two leaders, Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair comparing notes, as Tony Blair goes personally now to try to diffuse those tensions a little bit. The United States obviously concerned. Two nuclear rivals, a military buildup that would be of major concern any way, but there is another concern, a sub plot that perhaps this could undermine Pakistan's support for war on terrorism.

U.S. officials applauding Pakistan. Bill Hemmer just mentioned those detainees, suspected al Qaeda members who have come across the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan. So far, the U.S. say Pakistani support has been quite high.

There is a concern though that if this military buildup continues, that Pakistan's military will be diverted to the showdown with India, less cooperation with the United States, when it comes to the focus on the border with Afghanistan -- Marty. SAVIDGE: CNN's John King reporting to us from the White House this morning. Thanks.

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