Relevant excerpts from the daily press briefing, July 17, 2002
Question: One, the situation in India or in Kashmir is not very goodnow, because yesterday another incident, almost 30 or 35 were murdered in a temple. Andnow the Secretary leaves soon for India and Pakistan. Do you think he's getting nowanother new message, or how he is going to deal with the leaders now? Because violence isstill continuing.
Richard Boucher: First of all, let me make clear that we have condemnedthe continuing violence. We believe that the situation cannot be resolved by this kind ofconflict. It's vital to all sides in Kashmir to exercise restraint, to take steps toreduce the violence, to try to help create an environment for a political process toresolve the conflict. Violence won't bring peace to Kashmir.
The US and the international community continue diplomatic efforts to encourage India andPakistan to move away from armed conflict. As we've mentioned before, President Musharrafhas assured us that infiltration across the line of control will be ended permanently. Wecontinue to look to him to take the steps to make that effective.
Ensuring that infiltration across the line of control has ended permanently continues tobe highest priority for Pakistan, and we'll continue to follow that issue closely. I wouldpoint out that since September 11th Pakistan has been and continues to be one of ourforemost and indispensable allies in the war against terrorism. As President Musharraf haspointed out, Pakistan has also been a victim of terror and extremism, and together we'reworking on fighting the scourge.
So the issues that we look forward to discussing with India and Pakistan, I think firstand foremost, the relationships that we have with each of these governments, each of thesecountries separately; how we work with Pakistan on its role and its position, the reformsthat it's undertaking, the support that we can give to that, how we work with India on thedeveloping relationship we have with India.
Second of all is the global fight against terrorism, where Pakistan in particular hasplayed a role because of its proximity and the bold decisions that President Musharraf hasplayed. And also we looked at discussing with them the relationship that they have -- theissue of Kashmir and how to continue to reduce the violence, continue to ease thetensions, and continue to end the infiltration across the line of control.
Question: Any comments or any -- and do you see any change in the StateDepartment, or US or India policy? Recently Prime Minister Vajpayee made changes in hiscabinet, especially (inaudible) foreign minister and finance minister.
Richard Boucher: We declined to get involved in anybody's internalpolitical decisions the other day, and I'll continue to do that today.
Question: And finally, one more. Congressman Pallone has written aletter, I think including the Secretary of State and the President. He is condemning thatGeneral Musharaff is trying to change the constitution of Pakistan in order to remain inpower or extend his military rule.
Richard Boucher: I don't know this particular letter.
Question: (Inaudible.)
Richard Boucher: Again, I haven't seen this particular letter. I think ourposition was quite clear. We stated it many times that the return to democracy in Pakistanis very important. We look to the elections that President Musharraf has announced andreconfirmed for October. We look to those to be held and to open up the democratic processas one of the steps on the road back to democracy. That remains key to us, and we thinkthat remains key to providing Pakistan with the kind of stability that it wants over thelonger term.
Question: Some Indian officials are calling for the US to list Pakistanon its state sponsors of terrorism list, claiming that Pakistan has not done enough tocurb terrorism against India, and that actually infiltrations across the line of controlhave not subsided. Has the Indian Government asked you to make such a designation, and canyou bring us up to date on Pakistan's efforts to curb infiltrations?
Richard Boucher: Well, I think first, Pakistan will have to bring you upto date on Pakistan's efforts to curb infiltration. We would say what we've said before:infiltration is down across the line of control; it needs to be made permanent; andfurther steps need to be taken, for example, against the camps where these people couldcome from. So there are more efforts required, but infiltration is down.
As far as putting Pakistan on the terrorism list, I'd just point out again Pakistan hasbeen a very stalwart ally in the fight against terrorism. President Musharraf hasannounced some fairly bold measures within his own society to try to move Pakistan on amore moderate course, and our interest is in helping Pakistan move in that direction.
George, you had something?
Question: That was my question about whether or not infiltration wasdown. I think you omitted that in your opening remarks on this, or maybe you didn't. Idon't know. You talked about a permanent end, but you didn't -- it seemed to me you hadn'trepeated what you had said a month ago about infiltration being down substantially. Butnow you -- are you still alleging that?
Richard Boucher: Yeah, yeah. Since the commitment, the infiltration isdown.
