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Powell speaks to Musharraf about Newsweek interview remarks

Apparently annoyed and embarrassed by Gen Pervez Musharraf's remarks that he has not given any commitment to permanently stop cross-border terrorism, US Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned the Pakistan president who conveyed to Washington that he stuck to his promise.

US state department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters in Washington on Monday that Powell spoke to Musharraf after the Pakistani president's remarks were carried in an interview to Newsweek.

Acknowledging that Musharraf's interview raised some questions, Boucher said Musharraf told Powell that he stood by his commitment to permanently end cross-border terrorism across the Line of Control (in Jammu and Kashmir).

Boucher said Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, during his visit to Islamabad on June six, was given assurances by Pervez Musharraf that ending infiltration across the LoC would be permanent.

"These assurances were given also to US Secretary of State Colin Powell and US President George W Bush in their separate conversations with the Pakistan president as well as repeatedly to our representatives and our ambassador in Islamabad," he said.

"Musharraf said quite clearly to us that he has made certain commitments and he has said he will stand by them," added Boucher.

Again during his telephonic talk with Powell, Musharraf reiterated that cessation of infiltration across LoC would be permanent, Boucher said.

"It is a promise I told you that was given again yesterday (on Sunday). The US has heard this clearly from President Musharraf. We have seen it carried out. He has reiterated that to us. We have no reason to disbelieve him," he said.

"In fact, we have seen results from that action and we have also seen the steps taken by India since then. We believe that Pakistani action on the (terrorist) camps are important follow up steps to keep this process moving forward and facilitate a dialogue on the underlying issue," he said.

"There are other actions both sides need to take to reduce tension and move towards a dialogue," Boucher said.

PTI

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu and Kashmir: The complete coverage

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