U.S. calls for Pakistan-India cooperation over investigation into Mumbai attacks

Source: Xinhua | 12-05-2008 08:47

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday urged Pakistan to have cooperation with India over the investigation into terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed the lives of some 170 people.

"Pakistan needs to act with resolve, urgency. They need to cooperate fully and transparently and they need to keep the line of communication open between their country and India," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"We will continue to try to help to make that happen," the spokeswoman said.

Perino made the remarks when U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew into Islamabad Thursday morning and held talks with Pakistan's President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani aimed at reducing tension between Pakistan and India over attacks in Mumbai.

Rice was encouraged by her talks with President Zardari and other officials, according to State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood.

"The secretary came away, I think, from her conversations with Pakistani officials satisfied that Pakistan viewed this as a very serious issue and that, you know, they plan to cooperate fully," Wood told reporters.

Rice's one-day visit to Islamabad was aimed at reducing tension between Pakistan and India over attacks in Mumbai.

India has blamed the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) for the Mumbai attacks that have spoiled relations between the two countries.

Apart from seeking "strong action" against "elements from Pakistan" linked to the attacks, India has demanded Pakistan hand over 20 most wanted men, including LeT founder Hafiz Mohammed Saeed.

Pakistan has offered to conduct a joint investigation into the attacks. But Zardari said Wednesday that the suspects wanted by India in the attacks on Mumbai would be tried in Pakistan if there was concrete evidence against them.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei