Report: President Bush likely to visit India, Pakistan later this month

IANS via Hindustan Times and PakNews ^ | June 8, 2002

[HAL9000]

Bush might visit India, Pakistan: Online

Islamabad, June 7 -

US President George Bush is likely to visit India and Pakistan to defuse tension between the nuclear armed nations, Online news agency reports.

The visit could take place later this month or early next month, diplomatic sources said.

Bush would bring with him proposals to de-escalate tension in the region, the sources said.

They said that US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, during his meetings with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and other Pakistani officials Thursday, had hinted that Bush could visit the sub-continent.

The final date for the visit will be announced after US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Pakistan and India later this month, the sources said.

India not aware of plans

Indian officials said they were not aware of any plan by Bush to visit India.

"We are not aware of any such thing nor was it discussed" during US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's talks with Indian leaders here Friday, an external affairs ministry official said.

The last US president to visit India was Bill Clinton in March 2000.

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From PakNews

Bush likely to visit Pak-India to defuse tension

Updated on 2002-06-08 10:01:57

ISLAMABAD, June 8 (PNS): As a part of stepped up efforts by the US, for de-escalation of stand off between Pakistan and India in order to avert a war, President George W Bush is likely to visit Pakistan and India by the end of this month or start of next month.

President General Pervez Musharraf has already extended invitation to President Bush for visit to Pakistan.

The diplomatic sources revealed that the intelligence reports communicated to US authorities on possible war between Pakistan and India are very horrendous.

The reports suggest that if war breaks out between both the counties it will not be limited rather it will affect the whole region. The terrorist outfits and Al-Qaeda net work may benefit under the pretext of this war, sources added.

Sources disclosed that the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State, Armitage during his meetings with the President General Pervez Musharraf and other Pakistani officials has hinted that President Bush could visit the sub-continent. However the final date of visit will be announced after US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld visit to Pakistan and India.

Sources stated that US president is coming to the region with proposals on de-escalation of tension between the both nuclear armed neighbors and finding the facts on the allegation about the cross border infiltration.

Sources informed that US will not allow war to take place unless it achieves its objectives on the end to religious extremism and terrorism are achieved and protection of its interests in the region are ensured. Rather US will bring both the countries on negotiating table to initiate dialogue process for the resolution of Kashmir conundrum and other irritants.

End

[VA Advogado]

Nuts. Dont go Dubyah. Who knows what those nuts will do.

[Wolfstar]

I'm with you. I'd be very, very frightened for his well-being on such a trip. Not so much worried about India as I am Pakistan. If he goes, I hope Air Force One is escorted by Air Force fighters the whole time it's in the region, has the U.S. military assisting the Secret Service to guard it while on the ground, and serves as the President's hotel. I'm sure the Secret Service advance team will fly in one of those new limosine "tanks" that were delivered at the end of the Clinton presidency. Would be the safest way to drive the president around while over there.

[VA Advogado]

Yes, AF1 must be completely secured 24/7. The problem with going to Pakistan, you simply can't trust anyone over there. If they can pull off a coup like they did a few years ago against their OWN President, it certainly can't be hard to have one of those in a similar position knock off ours. I would actually feels safer with him in Afghanistan.

[goodnesswins]

Well.....I guess he's braver than Jesse Jacksex...Jackson....see thread above.

[alnick]

Is this the same man that the left accused of being a coward on September 11?

[VA Advogado]

LOL good point. Maybe he should see if Dashle and Cindy Mckinny want to join him on his trip.

[mikeIII]

I wonder if this report is credible. Reminds of Clinton having to fly into Pakistan on a decoy private jet and switch cars under a bridge! And that was pre-Sept 11, during a "quiet time" in Pakistan.He spent all of 5 hours then.

[mhking]

I hope not - the situation is far, far too volatile to send GW. I think that Rummy being there this week is bad enough.

[aristeides]

Clinton's trip to Pakistan was where a double replaced him on Air Force One (whereas Clinton himself was in the accompanying Learjet). That's when we learned that Clinton was using doubles.

[mystery-ak]

I hope this is not true....far too dangerous...why can't all the leaders meet somewhere else on safer ground?

[mikeIII]

I must've missed that. I wonder what other privileges the "doubles" enjoyed!! Hmmmm...