Crawford/Islamabad, January 1
US President George W Bush has categorically told both Pakistan and India that Washington desires peace and stability in South Asia. In separate telephone conversations with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bush urged both to cooperate with each other in investigations relating to the terror attacks that took place in Mumbai in November.

According to White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe: “Bush called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Zardari of Pakistan separately. President Bush urged both...to cooperate with each other in the Mumbai attack investigation as well as on counter-terrorism in general.”

“All three leaders from the United States, India and Pakistan agreed that no one wanted to take any steps that unnecessarily raise tensions,” Johndroe stressed. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said that he would not tolerate the use of Pakistan’s territory for attacking other countries by ‘non-state’ actors. According to the Daily Times, Zardari assured Bush on this score. — ANI