Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=07/15/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-278255

TITLE=INDIA-PAKISTAN SUMMIT (L-UPD)

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE=AGRA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The leaders of India and Pakistan have held a series of - relaxed, constructive, and cordial - meetings in the northern Indian town of Agra. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports that in a sign of growing goodwill between the two countries, India's Prime Minister has accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan at an unspecified future date.

TEXT: India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf continued their discussions into the night and agreed to hold more meetings Monday.

Both men appeared remarkably relaxed in their public appearances and observers close to the talks say both men got on well together. India's Foreign Ministry chief spokeswoman Nirupuma Rao says the discussions could not have taken place in a better atmosphere.

/// RAO ACT ///

The talks were held in a very cordial, frank, and constructive manner.

/// END ACT ///

Officials from both sides are saying little about the substance of the talks. Leading up to the summit General Musharraf said the issue of the disputed territory of Kashmir would be his main focus in Agra.

Indian officials say they want to discuss other issues as well, and that in the discussions on Kashmir they will raise the issue of what they describe as "cross-border terrorism" in Kashmir. Major General Rashid Querishi, General Musharraf's spokesman says "good chemistry" between the two leaders is resulting on progress being made.

/// QUERISHI ACT ///

I think when I describe the atmosphere as positive and conducive and when we talk about progress being made, it sort of speaks of the chemistry.

/// END ACT ///

The summit meetings took place amid high security. Much of Agra was shut down and sharpshooters patrolled the rooftops of hotels that usually cater to thousands of tourists visiting the Taj Mahal.

General Musharraf and his wife also visited the historic Taj Mahal. The memorial was built in the 17th century by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, who died in childbirth. The Musharrafs lingered at the monument pausing repeatedly to wave to well wishers despite the tight security cordon. (SIGNED)

NEB/JLT/RAE