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Bush in his telephonic conversation with Zardari in the backdrop of Indo-Pak tension over suspected involvement of Pakistan-based terror outfits in the Mumbai carnage urged Islamabad's cooperation in the on-going probe.
Bush "called prime minister (Manmohan) Singh of India and separately president (Asif Ali) Zardari of Pakistan. President Bush urged both ... to cooperate with each other in the Mumbai attack investigation as well as on counter-terrorism in general," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. Bush spoke from his ranch in Crawford in Texas.
"All three leaders from the United States, India and Pakistan agreed that no one wanted to take any steps that unnecessarily raise tensions," Johndroe emphasised.
"... the calls he(Bush) had with both Prime Minister Singh and, separately, with President Zardari were encouraging the sides to cooperate, not only on the Mumbai investigation, but also on counterterrorism in general.
And I'll leave it at that," Johndroe said.
In Islamabad, a brief statement issued by the presidency said Zardari assured Bush that Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used by "non-state actors" for launching attacks on other countries.
Asked about the nature of the conversation between Bush and Zardari especially if the US President had spoken about the extradition of a militant who had confessed to the Mumbai terror attacks, Johndroe refused to get into the details.
"...reports out of Islamabad is that a ...Pakistani militant has confessed to ...Mumbai attack... Did the president talk about whether or not this individual should be extradited... (for) trial to India?" Johndroe was asked.
"... I'm not going to get into details. I don't recall that specific issue coming up -- specific element coming up" the White House Deputy Press Secretary replied.
The statement by the Pakistan presidency said, "President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated the position of the government of Pakistan that it will not allow its territory to be used by non-state actors for launching attacks on other countries".
Zardari said "anybody found involved in such attacks from the soil of Pakistan will be dealt with sternly".
Bush and Zardari discussed the situation in the region and bilateral relations, the statement said.
Bush's phone conversation with Zardari was the latest in a flurry of contacts between top US and American officials in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, which sparked tensions with India.
India has blamed Pakistan-based elements, including the Lashker-e-Taiba terror group, for the attacks that killed over 180 people. India has asked Pakistan to take action against these elements.
Pakistan has said it is waiting for India to share evidence and information on the Mumbai attacks so that it can push forward its investigation into the incident.
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For threatening to deal with them sternly, Zardari can now expect, from the non-state terrorists, a bullet up his arse.
Mr zardari, Please stop telling and start doing something.
Pakistan has out smarted India in current diplomatic maneuovers. Infact the earlier tough stance of India without any possibility of followup action has exposed helpness of India in effective actions against terrorism. India has to follow Chankayaniti and take up covert actions in its own interest.Too much dependence on U S A is futile
As usual, the Indian government has shamelessly allowed Pakistan to get away after a terror attack. The very fact that Pakistan responded to an Indian demarche asked for criminals and terrorists to be extradited by creating a war hysteria is sufficient evidence of the involvement of the Pakistani establishment in the terror attack. Unfortunately, our spineless leaders keep encouraging Pakistan to continue with its terror attacks by their pathetic actions. They also allow lame duck presidents to preach to them instead of demanding that they either ensure Pakistan extridites the criminals or shut up.
Thank you Manmohan puppet singh. It is business as usual again. While India suffered bilions of dollars in losses, 180 people lost their lives Bush is advising both India and Pakistan to cooperate in the same breath. And of course puppet incompetent singh is agreeing. Thank you Indian public and people of Delhi for voting for Congress. From India shining they have brought complete anarchy in the last 5 years.Another 5 year for this government which has divided people on caste, religion, region, where ministers can speak anything and get away, where there is no sanctity of court decisions etc etc would result in there being no India at all
Tomorrow this nut will again backtrack saying he did not say this. What is the proof that he said this?
Wishing a happy and healthy new-yearI am forced to say no Indian can trust Pakistani leaders/ship.What does Zardari really means by time and again stressing upon this gesture of blaming socalled "NON-STATE ACTORS"?Certainly there are people who terrorists of other countries operating from Pakistan but the majority are Pakistai nationals.The real Actors are Pakistanis while others are directors and financers.Why Pak leaders coniving the truth that its Pakistani who have given them freedom to install/open/construct traing facilities and other needful terror operating machinery.These Non-state actors are ,though terrorists,used as scape-goats.India and the world is not interested in with what relationship Pak invites these NonStateActors but to finish terrorism inabsolute.Moreover one can Find only seriousl searches.Pak will never do it because it has fears to lose support from Islamic countries and can't do it because it backbone of Pak economy and ofcourse fails sincere motivation.
There is a big difference between what a politician says and does. And when they fail to fulfill their words, there is never lack of excuse for them. Lets hope President Zardari will keep his words. If he can the blessings of people of India and of Pakistan will be upon him.