Musharraf Blames India, Bush Lauds Pakistan

Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

Pakistan News Service - Dec 30, 2001

India is responsible for tension, Musharraf tells Bush;
Pres. Bush  Lauds Pakistan's efforts

ISLAMABAD DEC 30 (PNS)--President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday
made it clear to the United States that the entire responsibility for
escalation in the tension rests with India adding Pakistan would
continue to pursue the policy of restraint but would never allow any
one to harm its integrity and national security.

Gen Musharraf has said this while talking to the US President George
W.  Bush by telephone. He told President Bush that Pakistan is
exercising restraint and wants de-escalation in the situation.

President Bush while appreciating Pakistan's commitment and adherence
to restraint said that the world community holds this policy in
esteem and lauds it profusely.

President Musharraf asked President Bush that he should convince
Indian leadership to exercise restraint in the present volatile
situation.

Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf and American President
George W Bush Saturday agreed to exercise restraint to maintain peace
in the region. "They talked on telephone for well over 20 minutes, as
President Bush expressed his concern on the Indian build up," said
well-placed sources.

The sources said the US president appreciated Pakistan's policy of
restraint and its swift move against some suspected terrorist
outfits.

Quoting President Bush's remarks to President Musharraf, sources
said, "Not only the US but international community laud Pakistan's
efforts to combating terrorism as a frontline state."

This time both the leaders have discussed in length the regional
security situation arising out of Indian military build up and
Delhi's offensive mood, which forced Pakistan on deployment of troops
on the border.

President Musharraf, sources said, apprised President Bush about the
regional security scenario with emphasis on how seriously Indians
leaders are trying to disturb peace in the area.

Musharraf has asked President Bush to use his influence on India for
exercising restraint, as war is not the option for resolving
problems, the sources said.

Today's contact by the top American leader is considered a
significant American move to avert war in the region.

Bush and Musharraf have been speaking on telephone prior and after
September 11 incidents, This happened more often following the tragic
incidents of September 11 as Pakistan agreed to stand up as frontline
state against radical terrorism.
 
=================================================================
  NY Transfer News Collective   *   A Service of Blythe Systems 
           Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us          
              339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012             
  http://www.blythe.org                  e-mail: nyt@blythe.org 
=================================================================
 
nytas-12.31.01-06:44:12-15535