OT - U.S. Concerned About Latest India-Pakistan Tensions

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U.S. Concerned About Latest India-Pakistan Tensions

Updated 11:48 AM ET August 10, 1999WASHINGTON

(Reuters) - The United States expressed concern Tuesday about an upsurge in tensions between India and Pakistan after India shot down a Pakistani military aircraft.

David Leavy, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the White House was monitoring reports about the downing of the aircraft but had no independent confirmation of the shoot down.

"We are concerned about an increase in tensions," he said.

He said Washington was urging both countries to return to the process of normalizing relations agreed to by both sides in the Pakistani city of Lahore last February.

"We think that's in both sides' interest," Leavy said.

He said since the Line of Control between India and Pakistan in the disputed state of Kashmir was reestablished last month, "Now is the important time to get back to a bilateral dialogue."

In New Delhi, India said it shot down a Pakistani reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft that had intruded into its airspace off the coast of the western state of Gujarat.

Pakistan said the plane was shot down inside its territory, and all 16 people on board were killed. It called the action "unprovoked aggression by India."

At the State Department, an official who asked to remain unidentified said U.S. officials were trying to learn more about the incident.

"Our embassies are looking into it. We think this illustrates the continued high state of tension and the need for the two countries to resolve their differences through dialogue. With respect to this incident, we hope appropriate officials of the two governments are in touch with each other," the official said.

President Clinton has expressed a desire to go to India and Pakistan and officials had said before the incident that prospects had been improving for a trip early next year. He put off a visit last year because of tensions between the two nations.

The nuclear-capable neighbors, which have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947, came to the brink of a fourth war after New Delhi launched a military offensive against guerrilla infiltrators in northern

-- Forum regular (a little worried @bout the .world), August 10, 1999


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