December 29, 2001	Saturday	Shawwal 13, 1422

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MOSCOW, Dec 28: The foreign ministers of the seven largest industrialized nations plus Russia - the G-8 group - said on Friday they were concerned about the rising tension between Pakistan and India.

In a joint declaration at the suggestion of Moscow, the two countries were urged to avoid further escalation and to resume political dialogue.

The G-8 called on Pakistan to take decisive steps against purported terrorist groups accused of using Pakistan as a base for activities in India.

The Interfax news agency quoted the declaration as saying that there was no justification for terrorism. The G-8 nations condemned terrorism in all forms, the declaration said.

In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer urged Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar by telephone to do everything possible to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict, a foreign ministry spokesman told a press conference.—dpa