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US asks Pakistan to stop infiltration in J&K

T V Parasuram in Washington

Taking note of India's 'anger' over continued terrorist attacks, the United States has told Pakistan to stop infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir and announced that Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage would visit Islamabad and New Delhi on June four.

"We understand India's frustrations and anger over continued terrorist actions, but would reiterate that rather than being the solution, military action in this crisis would create even greater problems," state department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker told reporters.

Saying that 'it is vital for all sides in Kashmir to exercise restraint, to reduce violence', he said, "An important component to this process is an end to infiltration into Kashmir, and as we have done before, we call upon Pakistan to do all it can to achieve this objective."

Announcing Armitage's visit, Reeker said, "It is important for India and Pakistan to resume a productive dialogue over the issues that divide them, and that includes Kashmir."

Armitage's trip has been planned for several weeks, but officials had not previously given any firm dates. It was not immediately clear which country Armitage would visit first.

Reeker said the US, which is engaged in a flurry of telephone diplomacy to reduce tension in South Asia, has taken note of President Pervez Musharraf's statements that Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used by terrorists for attacks anywhere.

Reeker said US Secretary of State Colin Powell, senior state department and other administration officials remain in 'very close touch' with their 'counterparts in South Asia' and 'in the international community' to prevent a conflict and to reduce tensions.

Reeker said the US remains convinced that Pakistan is fully committed to supporting the global war on terrorism. "Our goal on the issue between Pakistan and India is to get the two countries to focus on a dialogue," he said.

On Powell's phone call to Musharraf, he said, "We usually include in our private conversations the things that we are saying publicly as well."

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