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Powell, Annan discuss Indo-Pak tensions with Musharraf

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and United States Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday spoke over telephone to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to defuse Indo-Pak tensions, with Annan asserting cross-border terrorism in Kashmir could not be tolerated and asking Musharraf to implement his January 12 speech.

State-owned Pakistan Television said that Annan and Powell spoke to Musharraf on the spiralling border tensions with Musharraf, but did not give out details.

In New York, a spokesman of Annan said the secretary general has made it clear that 'there can be no tolerance for acts of terrorism, especially across the Line of Control in Kashmir'.

"Annan asked Musharraf to make good his promise in his January 12 speech to end terrorism," the spokesman said.

Annan, he said, has had contacts with leaders of India and Pakistan in the last 24 hours, but would offer his good offices only if both sides seek them.

"So far only one side has shown interest," the spokesman added in an obvious reference to Pakistan.

Stressing that he is 'increasingly concerned by the alarming rise in tension between India and Pakistan', Annan said he urged leaders of both sides to resolve their differences, including on Kashmir, by peaceful means.

"The secretary general considers it essential that the logic and language of war be replaced by the logic and language of peace," the spokesman said.

The calls came in the wake of Pakistan seeking UN help to advice India to resume dialogue and expressing its readiness to cooperate with any effort aimed at reducing tension and promoting peace between the two countries.

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