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US to be in South Asia for some
time: Envoy

Ramesh Menon in New Delhi

The United States was going to be in South Asia for some time and it would be more engaged in the central Asian region than it was in the past, the American ambassador to India, Robert D Blackwill, said on Thursday.

He said the US presence might not be in the form of permanent military bases, but Washington would be diplomatically and economically engaged. "Our military presence is only because of the war against the Al-Qaeda network and will be there till it is eliminated," he said.

Blackwill felt that infiltration into India from Pakistan had slowed down after President Pervez Musharaff had made his "ground breaking and fundamental" speech. What remains now is to see how Musharaff implements his promises, Blackwill said.

"Musharraf's speech was historical, as the objectives he laid down was consequential to the US as he deals with Islamic terrorism. We are gratified with the way he is working to pursue joint objectives," he said.

Musharraf had told US Secretary of State Colin Powell that terrorism would not emanate from Pakistan or from any areas under its control, Blackwill said. "We think he is going in the right direction."

Blackwill who had just returned from a visit to Kashmir, said: "The situation between India and Pakistan continues to be dangerous, as the two armies were deployed and ready."

The ambassador said that not only the US, but the entire international community was interested in defusing tension in the area. Powell's visit and the actions taken by India have helped defuse the tension to a great extent, he felt.

When asked if the US was planning to confer permanent presidentship on Musharraf or get Pakistan to return to democracy, Blackwill said Washington always wanted an early return to democracy.

Commenting on the attack on policemen guarding the American centre in Kolkatta, he said that the US was not aware of the origins of the attack, but American and Indian law agencies were working closely on the case.

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