White House Briefing

Ari Fleischer:

The President also did a drop-by of the National Security Advisor's meetingwith the Home Minister of India.  The drop-by was designed tounderscore the United States commitment to strong bilateral relations with Indiaand to work together to combat terrorism in all its manifestations.

The President again expressed his outrage over the recent terrorist attacksin New Delhi and Srinagar.  The President told Minister Advani that hehas urged President Musharraf to take appropriate steps against extremistsoperating in and from Pakistan.  The President also stressed theimportance of solving the India-Pakistan differences through diplomatic andpolitical means.

Question:    As far as the Home Minister ofIndia's visit to the White House is concerned, did the President give him anycommitment -- like he said yesterday that he needs a clear promise from PakistanGeneral Musharraf as far as terrorism is concerned? Because the Home Ministerwas sending a message that if Pakistan does not apply or take action, thenoptions for India are still open.  So where do we stand today ifPakistan doesn't take any actions?

Ari Fleischer:  Well, the President is appreciative of thesteps that have been taken by President Musharraf.  PresidentMusharraf has taken some positive steps.  He has condemned theterrorist attacks; he has arrested the leaders of the Jaish-e- Mohammed and theLashkar-e-Toiba organization. He's closed their offices.  ThePresident believes there's room for additional work to be done and PresidentMusharraf is moving forward.  And the President reminds all in theregion that the war there is against terrorism and not a war between India andPakistan.

Question:    Just to follow.  As far as Chinais concerned, nuclear weapons and all that, I've been -- for the last five yearsor so that the future threat of the United States will be China, and now thosereports are coming true.  So where do we stand as to the futureChinese threat to the U.S. on nuclear weapons are concerned?  AndPakistan is buying -- General Musharraf was in Pakistan while the U.S. wasfighting in Afghanistan, and he bought 46 of the fighter planes with U.S. moneywhich the U.S. gave Pakistan, $1 billion.

Ari Fleischer:  Well, as the President said when he visitedShanghai last year and met with President Jiang, the President seesopportunities for much progress to be made with China.  China is now amember of the World Trade Organization.  The President believes thatthere is much the United States and China can do, particularly on the tradefront.  There are issues where the United States and China disagree,and in all cases, any disagreements will, of course, be resolved throughpolitical dialogue and through diplomacy.