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CNN Saturday Morning News

Tensions Mount on the Indian/Pakistani Border

Aired December 29, 2001 - 10:10   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, while the Bush administration directs the war on terrorism, U.S. officials are also keeping a close eye on the military crisis now building between India and Pakistan, both U.S. allies. More on that now from ITN's Helen Wright.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HELEN WRIGHT, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): To the patriotic chant of crowds hundreds strong, Indian and Pakistani soldiers stage identical flag blaring ceremonies feet apart on the borderline between the two countries. It is this border region that has grown increasingly tense. Opposing forces have exchanged gun fire, and 18 Indian soldiers have died laying land mines along the border.

As the international community calls the 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.

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 defenses. Indian soldiers are digging in. And India says it will not talk peace until action is taken against terrorist groups who it claims Pakistan harboring. There are fears the smallest escalation could be the catalyst for all-out conflict.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The possibility of a small action would trigger a chain of action and reaction leading to conflict that neither side desires.

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

Helen Wright, ITN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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