Powell hopes to spur India-Pakistani talks

NEW DELHI, India -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived Saturday in India on the first leg of an ambitious eight-nation Asian tour to help defuse regional tensions and beef up cooperation in the so-called second fronts in the war on terrorism.

During his eight-day mission, Powell hopes to prod nuclear-armed India and Pakistan into a dialogue, discuss military cooperation with the Philippines and Indonesia and finalize an antiterrorism accord with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. The pact, the first of its kind, could serve as a model for other regional blocs, U.S. officials said.

The Bush administration's goal is to prevent the post-Sept. 11 momentum from dissipating in the aftermath of the war in Afghanistan and the arrest of al-Qaida agents and associates around the world. The United States hopes to set in motion mechanisms for greater practical collaboration as well as agreements that will ensure future support for its efforts.

But the challenges ahead for Powell were underscored by the tough stance taken by India on defusing its crisis with Pakistan over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. A terrorist attack by Kashmiri militants on India's Parliament late last year brought the two nuclear powers to the brink of war. One million troops remain deployed along their border.

Shortly before Powell's arrival, Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha charged that New Delhi had been betrayed by Pakistan's failure to end cross-border infiltration from Pakistan into predominantly Muslim Kashmir. Although he said tensions had decreased since U.S. mediation last month, extremist infiltration continues, he said.

"There must be a decisive, complete, a permanent end to this crossborder terrorism," Sinha said. "Only then shall we be in a position to resume our dialogue with Pakistan."

Powell arrived in the region as fighting escalated along the Line of Control dividing Pakistani- and Indian-held Kashmir. Fierce artillery barrages, the heaviest in weeks, were reported Saturday.

In a separate terrorist attack, at least two civilians were killed when gunmen threw grenades at a crowded market in Budgam, a town about 20 miles outside Srinagar, the summer capital of India's Jammu and Kashmir state.

En route to India, Powell acknowledged that he doesn't expect any breakthroughs on the Kashmir situation.

"I want to see what both sides might be willing to do to keep us from going down that escalatory ladder," he said. "I will certainly explore possibilities and see what reciprocity might exist between the two sides, if either side took certain steps."

Powell will hold more meetings with India's top leadership this morning and then fly to Pakistan to talk with President Pervez Musharraf in the afternoon.

Powell said he will encourage the government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to hold "free, open, fair and inclusive" elections in Kashmir so that all parties that want to run will be given a place on the ballot.

The United States will urge India to allow independent observers to monitor the elections to prove to the world that they were held freely, Powell told reporters traveling with him.

In Pakistan, Powell plans to tell Musharraf that Pakistan should do everything possible to ensure that no terrorist attacks, border infiltration or other actions disrupt the vote.

Powell will then fly to Southeast Asia for visits to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and a meeting with 10 ASEAN leaders and 22 of his Asian counterparts in Brunei.

On the last two legs of his visit, Powell will explore closer counterterrorism cooperation with the Philippines and Indonesia, both of which are plagued by Muslim separatist movements.

Indian VP Krishan Kant dies of heart attack

NEW DELHI, India -- Indian Vice President Krishan Kant, who occupied the nation's second highest ceremonial position, died Saturday from a heart attack, doctors said. He was 75.

Kant, whose tenure was to end this year, was admitted to a hospital Saturday morning complaining of severe chest pain. Doctors rushed him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where he was declared dead an hour later, hospital superintendent R. Sharma was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

India's vice president is the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, but has few other powers. The vice president holds the office of the president if the office is vacant due to death, resignation or removal.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Cabinet announced three days of national mourning.

Kant was born on Feb. 28, 1927 in the northern farming state of Punjab. He was imprisoned during colonial British rule for taking part in movements opposing the government, according to his official biography.

Throughout his political career, he was a strong proponent of India's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Kant was also one of the founders of the People's Union of Civil Liberties, an influential human rights group.

He was billed as a possible successors to outgoing President Kocheril Raman Narayanan. However, most political parties supported a retired missile scientist, A.P.J. Abdul Abdul Kalam, who became the nation's ceremonial head and the supreme commander of the armed forces this week.

-- Associated Press

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