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US asks Pak to withdraw forces from LoC

The United States would like Pakistani forces to withdraw from the Line of Control in Kashmir, as well as from the international border with India, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has said.

At a news conference with Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias Van Aartsen, Albright said, ''This unfortunately is the time of year when there have been incidents on the Line of Control and what we would hope very much is that both sides do whatever they can to reduce tensions, and we have made that quite clear.''

Indian army authorities have said their troops had foiled a Pakistani attempt to capture two Indian posts on the Line of Control.

She said as far as the United States is aware, new Pakistani military leader General Pervez Musharraf has carried out a promise to withdraw from the international border. ''We would also like it done on the Line of Control,'' she added.

A Pakistani army spokesman said on Saturday the Pakistani army had completed half of the promised troop pullback from the border.

Reuters

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