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Powell expects Musharraf to welcome Indian move

Suman Guha Mozumder in New York

US Secretary of State Collin Powell indicated on Monday night that he expects Pakistan to reciprocate the Indian move to de-escalate tension by reopening its airspace to Pakistani commercial flights.

"India has allowed Pakistani air traffic on its skies. We also have indication that the Indian fleet is moving away from potential confrontation with Pakistan (and) India has also named the High Commissioner to Pakistan who will go in due course," Powell said. "In response, Pakistan has welcomed these moves (and) I expect President Musharraf to give us further indications tomorrow of how welcome these moves (by India) are."

The US secretary of state made these remarks, while delivering the keynote address at the Asia Society's Annual Dinner in New York on Monday night, which was postponed last year following the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States.

About 500 people attended the dinner, including India's newly appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vijay K Nambiar.

Powell in his 45-minute address mainly focussed on US relations with the countries of the region, noting that in the last few days there has been some improvement in the situation between India and Pakistan on the LoC.

"It looked like both sides might be ready to a conflict that neither side wanted," he said.

Obviously, he said, as a result of intensive diplomatic efforts by the US and a number of other countries, there has been a decrease in tension. "It has started producing some results," he said.

"Two weeks ago we had assurance from President Musharraf that he will cease infiltration activity across the LoC and we passed on the assurances to the Indian side," he said. "I am pleased that India has seized this assurance."

However, Powell cautioned that while he welcomes the step-down move, there is still a lot of tension.

"We will remain engaged in India and Pakistan to help them begin a dialogue," he said, adding that President George Bush's top priority is to find a way that will lead to peace and security in the region.

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