May 31, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 18,1423

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WASHINGTON, May 30: US President George W. Bush said on Thursday that the United States was assessing how to protect Americans should war erupt between Pakistan and India, as newspaper reports said diplomats were laying the groundwork for an evacuation.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer stopped short of explicitly confirming a USA Today report that US officials were in India to plan the possible evacuation of 1,100 troops and some 63,000 citizens from India and Pakistan amid tension over Kashmir.

“The US, as a matter of routine, has plans in place around the world — particularly in areas in the world where there is tension — to help protect American citizens,” said Fleischer.

“That’s to be expected and you can assume we have plans in place as well in that area of tension,” he said. “There are plans in place and they always get renewed looks anytime of increased tension.”

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Wednesday that embassies always worked on contingency plans to ensure the safety of Americans.

“The embassies are looking at that as part of prudent planning,” Boucher said. Fleischer noted the US embassy in Islamabad and US consulates in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar were “open for business”, even though non-essential personnel were ordered out on March 21.

The United States last Friday warned its citizens to defer travel to Pakistan and India, saying it could not rule out a military clash between the two countries.

The state department also advised US nationals still in Pakistan and India to consider leaving the region.

US citizens in Pakistan were reminded that there have already been attacks on their compatriots in the country since Washington launched its campaign against “terrorism” in Afghanistan after the Sept 11 attacks.—Agencies