Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=06/04/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUMSFELD/INDIA-PAKISTAN (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-290523

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he is not going to India and Pakistan as a mediator. But as V-O-A Pentagon correspondent Alex Belida reports, Mr. Rumsfeld embarks (late Tuesday EDT) on a trip that will take him to South Asia in hopes his visit will contribute to an easing of tensions.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld declines to tell reporters what message he will be taking to leaders in India and Pakistan.

But speaking at the Pentagon, the Defense Secretary says he hopes developing U-S ties with both nuclear-armed countries will help them make decisions that lead to a reduction of tensions.

/// FIRST RUMSFELD ACT ///

We have a relationship that is developing well with Pakistan. We have a relationship that has been developing well with India. We put value in those relationships. We think they are important for our country. We also believe they are important for their countries. And our hope is that those relationships will be useful in having those two countries find their way to right decisions with respect to the tension that exists.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld denies, however, that his is a mediating mission.

And he also rejects suggestions it is some kind of emergency undertaking.

/// SECOND RUMSFELD ACT ///

No, I am not being thrown into any breach...I have been to those countries previously. I have met with their leadership there and in this country as have other senior officials of our government. It is a continuing process.

/// END ACT ///

In the meantime, Mr. Rumsfeld concedes the stand-off over Kashmir is a distraction from the global war on terrorism.

But, he says, it has not damaged in any specific way the U-S-led effort against al-Qaida and the Taleban in Afghanistan. He says Pakistani troops are still deployed along the Afghan border and only small units have been shifted to the frontier with India.

At the same time, though, Mr. Rumsfeld warns al-Qaida might try to exploit the tensions between India and Pakistan.

Defense officials emphasize they have no specific information that al-Qaida is doing this but say it is reasonable to expect that the terrorist group might.

Mr. Rumsfeld's visit to South Asia will come on a trip that will also take him to Europe and the Middle East.

(Signed)

NEB/BEL/SAB