Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9-9-02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POWELL-INDIA (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-293852

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Secretary of State Colin Powell says the United States is pressing Pakistan to make good on pledges to curb the infiltration of Muslim militants across the "Line of Control" into Indian Kashmir. Mr. Powell held talks Monday with Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha. VOA's David Gollust has details from the State Department.

TEXT: The talks here were largely devoted to laying groundwork for the New York meeting Thursday between President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the sidelines of the U-N General Assembly.

The United States has sent a succession of diplomatic envoys to South Asia since May, when India and Pakistan came close to full-scale hostilities over Kashmir.

In a talk with reporters, with Mr. Sinha at his side, Mr. Powell said Kashmir was among issues covered and that the United States expects the Pakistani government to live up to stated promises to curb the infiltration of Kashmiri militants that has been a major source of regional tensions:

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I reaffirmed to the minister that we would continue to press the Pakistani government to do everything possible to stop cross-border infiltration and remind them of the commitment that they have made, not only to the United States but to the international community that it would not support such activity, and would work actively to stop it.

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Mr. Powell also said he and his Indian counterpart discussed Pakistan's upcoming elections October 10th for national and provincial legislatures. He said the United States has told the government of Pakistan it expects the elections will be free and fair and conducted without interference from central authorities.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharaff promised the elections as a step toward returning the country to civilian rule after taking power in a military coup in 1999.

But he has drawn international criticism from the United States among others, for extending his own term in office for another five years through a referendum held in April, and by unilaterally amending the constitution last month in a way that gives Pakistan's military a formal role in governing the country.

In addition to meeting President Bush in New York, Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee will hold talks with several other world leaders and give India's policy speech to the U-N General Assembly. It will be his first U-S visit since last November. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/FC