Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Diplomats Hope for Progress Between Pakistan, India

Aired January 05, 2002 - 08:36   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: The recent rise in tension between India and Pakistan has become the focus of a summit of Asian leaders in Nepal.

CNN's Michael Holmes is at the gathering in Kathmandu. He joins us live via videophone with the latest on the efforts to diffuse the standoff between India and Pakistan.

Hi, Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra. Nice to see you well. Good evening from Nepal, where we do have some news for you. There's a fluid situation evolving as we speak. Pakistani officials senior sources have told us that the Indian foreign minister and the Pakistan foreign minister have met this evening here in Nepal and have discussed the crisis involving their two countries.

Now the Indian side, officials initially confirmed to us the meeting had taken place. Now they're backing off a little. They're saying, "Well, there was a meeting of all seven foreign ministers attending the SAARC Summit here in Kathmandu." There was no private meeting. The Pakistan sources sticking by their story that a one-on- one meeting did happen between the two foreign ministers.

If this proves true, it will be a major breakthrough here in Nepal, where for so many days now, it's been thought that no one would talk to anyone when it comes to the Pakistan-India crisis.

Now earlier in the day, and it has been a fairly dramatic day here in Kathmandu, I can tell you, the summit kicked off with speeches by the leaders of all seven nations. When it was the turn of the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to stand and speak, he spoke about condemning terrorism, wiping it out, however making the distinction between terrorists and those who fight for freedom on their own soil, making a direct reference there to Kashmiri militants that India considers to be terrorists and Pakistan considers to be a resistance movement.

Then there was a dramatic gesture from President Musharraf. Let's listen in and have a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PRESIDENT, PAKISTAN: Before I step down from this podium, I would like to use this exalted forum of the SAARC to extend a hand of genuine, sincere friendship to Prime Minister Vajpayee.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: A handshake and a smile from the Indian Prime Minister. Some thought that that was perhaps the sign of the ice breaking just a little. However, Atal Bihari Vajpayee stood to speak, he said that he welcomed the gesture, however, Pakistan had a lot more to do, he said. He said Indian peace initiatives in recent years had often met with what he called "Pakistani-sponsored violence" as a response. And he's very wary. He's acting very wary. He's not confirming that at their level, the presidential and prime ministerial level they'll be any talks.

However, we're still working on the story that the foreign ministers may have met here in Nepal. If it's true, it's a significant development -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Michael, what are the prospects of a U.S. envoy going into that region?

HOLMES: Yes, that's something that's being discussed here, too. The Pakistan side has always welcomed U.S. involvement as a mediating force. The Indian side, a little less enthusiastic.

We had a door stop press conference with Jaswant Singh, the Indian foreign minister, just a couple of hours ago. And he was asked about the reports of the U.S. is considering an envoy. And to be honest, he was pretty frosty about it. His words were, "I'm not thrilled."

I'll just tell you exactly what he said. He said, "I've not been asked about such a matter. The U.S. has embassies in New Delhi and Islamabad. And unless they're not up to the task, I don't see where the need is for special envoys." Pouring cold water on that suggestion, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, our Michael Holmes live in Kathmandu. Thank you so much.

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