US cautious India from taking steps that could worsen situation
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad Dec 4, IRNA
Pakistan-Rice-Press
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Thursday cautioned India from taking steps that could worsen the situation and hoped that Pakistan and India will keep the lines of communication open.
The U.S. Secretary of State flew into Islamabad in the morning and held talks with President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani aimed at reducing tension between Pakistan and India over attacks in Mumbai.
"It doesn't help to do something that might worsen the problem or have unintended consequences," Rice told a news conference at the end of her short visit to Islamabad.
"I have made that clear on both stops but there needs to be action urgently and transparently," Condoleezza Rice said.
"Whatever is done, the response has to be effective both in bringing people to justice and in preventing a further attack," she said.
"That has been a message that has been well received here in Pakistan because it is Pakistan's fight as well."
Asked about any possible Indian strike on elements within Pakistan, Rice said the most effective way to respond is through international cooperation that includes India and anyone else who can help like the US, Britain and includes Pakistan.
"Because obviously these terrorists work in a way that does not always respect borders, usually it doesn't respect borders, and it is extremely important to act when something like this happens." The U.S. Secretary of State said she and Pakistan leaders talked at some length on the attack on Mumbai and about the importance of Pakistan taking its responsibility to deal with those who may use Pakistani territory even if they are non-state actors.
"I found a Pakistani leadership that is very focused and committed for its own reasons because Pakistan has been a victim of these terrorist elements," she said.
She said Pakistani leadership is very committed to acting and Pakistan is going to investigate the circumstances, what may have happened to support in any way the attacks in Mumbai because the Pakistani government fully believes is very committed to the war on terror.
"Pakistan does not in any way want to be associated with terrorist elements and is indeed fighting to root them out wherever they find them. And therefore I found these conversations quite satisfactory," she added.
When asked about India-Pakistan relations and military tensions, moving troops from Afghan border, she said that she heard "nothing but reasonable and responsible discussion in both India and Pakistan about the problem here, about the attack on Mumbai."
She hoped that both countries will keep the lines of communication open, adding that relations between India and Pakistan had improved considerably.
To a question on U.S. role in investigation, Condoleezza Rice said the U.S. is prepared to help in whatever way it can.
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