Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/29/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-290316

TITLE= PAK/JAPAN/INDIA (L-O)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A senior Japanese official says Pakistan has promised it will step up efforts to curb infiltration by militants into Indian-controlled Kashmir. The cross-border incursions have brought Pakistan close to war with India. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: Japan's senior deputy foreign minister, Seiken Sugiura, is in

Islamabad as part of intense international efforts to prevent a military

conflict between India and Pakistan. The Japanese envoy met Pakistani

Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar Wednesday to discuss the crisis.

After the meeting, Mr. Sugiura told reporters he has asked Pakistan to

take "concrete and visible measures" to stop infiltration by militants into

Indian Kashmir.

///SUGIURA ACT IN JAPANESE, FADE UNDER///

The Japanese envoy says that foreign minister Sattar has assured him his

country will increase efforts to prevent infiltration across the Line of

Control, which divides Kashmir. He declined to give more details of his talks.

Mr. Sugiura will visit New Delhi on Friday for similar discussions with

Indian officials. He says he will appeal to leaders in India to "exhaust

all diplomatic efforts" to avoid another conflict in the region.

India has refused to pull back forces from the border until Pakistan stops

what India calls cross-border terrorism. Islamabad denies Indian allegations

that it is behind recent terrorist attacks on India's territory.

Meanwhile, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is sending special envoys to the United States, Europe and several Muslim countries to explain Pakistan's position on the

current tensions with India. (Names of the envoys: ex-President Farooq

Ahmed Leghari, ex-chairman Senate Wasim Sajjad, former foreign secretary

Najmuddin Sheikh, ex-ambassador to India, Jehangir Qazi and former army

chief, Jehangir Karamat)

Officials say the Pakistani ambassadors will carry the President's message

that Pakistan does not want war with India and is ready to resolve the

outstanding disputes through dialogue. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/RH