Military

DATE=10/12/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POWELL TRIP

NUMBER=2-281736

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell heads to Pakistan and India this weekend to help shore up relations between the nuclear rivals and their support for U-S military actions in Afghanistan. We have more from V-O-A's Laurie Kassman in Washington.

TEXT: The U-S administration has praised Pakistan's cooperation in the anti-terrorism coalition. Secretary Powell will re-enforce that message in his meetings with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf.

General Musharraf has allowed Pakistan's airspace to be used during the U-S strikes against targets inside Afghanistan. U-S officials say Pakistan has offered other assistance too.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says Secretary Powell also will meet India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to talk about India's role in the anti-terrorism coalition.

/// BOUCHER ACT ///

There is serious work to do with both of these governments on the global coalition against terrorism. Each one is making an important contribution in their own way. We'll discuss that support. We'll discuss how we go forward in the long-term fight against terrorism with two of the countries that are close to the problem.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Boucher says Washington also is seeking to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, which are running high over the issue of Kashmir.

/// BOUCHER ACT ///

We've been working with both sides independently but positively on the coalition. We have relationships with both Pakistan and India that have been developing positively and we've always encouraged them to take positive steps to reduce tensions and would continue to want to see them do that now.

/// END ACT ///

India blames Pakistan for supporting terrorism groups in Kashmir. Pakistan has denied the accusations. Earlier in the week Pakistan's leader invited Prime Minister Vajpayee to visit but a foreign ministry spokesman in New Delhi says Islamabad first must address India's concerns over terrorism in Indian Kashmir. (Signed)

NEB/LMK/RH