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Tension between India, Pak easing: Rumsfeld

T V Parasuram in Washington

United States Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said that the tension between India and Pakistan was 'easing', but the military situation on ground and the respective levels of alert has 'really not changed notably'.

"There is a clear perception that tensions are easing and that the likelihood of a conflict is lessening," Rumsfeld said on Washington.

"Both nations have taken some initial steps that, while not definitive, are having a positive effect," he said, adding that the leaders of both countries are increasingly aware that tension in the region is hurting them economically.

"There are several risks ahead in the period we're now entering, including the possibility, of course, of a terrorist act beyond the control of either party, which could be misunderstood and conceivably provoke a reaction," he said.

"We raised that issue with both countries, and I think they are sensitive to it," Rusmsfeld said. He said both Pakistan and India indicate a desire for continued US involvement and appreciated the efforts that US President Bush, British Prime Minister Blair and others have been making.

Regarding the proposal to place US sensors on the Line of Control to monitor militant incursions in Jammu and Kashmir, Rumsfeld said, "There's no decision with respect to sensors. That's something that I believe was raised in another country."

"I was asked about it. It was discussed. To the extent that it is possible -- and that is a technical question that remains very much open -- to do something useful in that regard, I suppose people might be willing to do so," he added.

When asked about the accusations that the Bush administration was using 'chequebook diplomacy' in trying to defuse Indo-Pak tension and that Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage went over with 'foreign aid books in his pocket', Rumsfeld said, "Chequebook diplomacy, I think, is essentially an inappropriate comment. I don't know that Richard Armitage went over with a chequebook; and I know I didn't."

"So I think it is a misunderstanding or a mischief, one of the two," he added.

Asked about the acknowledgement by Pakistani leaders themselves that there were large number of Al Qaeda fighters and perhaps leaders inside their country, Rumsfeld said, "There is no question, but that the Pakistanis understand that border is porous, and a lot of folks come over -- Taliban and Al Qaeda."

"There is also no question but that President Musharraf is bound and determined, and if and when he finds Al Qaeda or Taliban milling around in his country, he is determined to go get them," Rumsfeld said.

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu and Kashmir: The complete coverage

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