07 February 2004	Saturday	15 Zilhaj 1424

WASHINGTON, Feb 6: The United States and United Nations have expressed support for high-level talks between Pakistan and India that will help reduce tension in the region.

President George Bush and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan "had a good general discussion" on Pakistan and India during their meeting in the Oval Office the other day, White House Spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

In reply to a question, Mr McClellan said a dialogue was required between Pakistan and India for resolving those tensions that exist in the (South Asia) region.

The spokesman was asked to give a little more about the discussion on India and Pakistan, and whether Mr Bush and Mr Annan had talked about Kashmir, and had the president asked the secretary-general about any role the UN would play on the issue.

"It was a general discussion...they talked about the importance of everybody supporting the efforts of Pakistan and India to reduce tensions in the region," he said.

In his remarks, Mr Bush said: "We just have had a really constructive dialogue about a lot of issues. And the world is changing for the better and the United Nations is playing a vital role in that change. And we talked about Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, the Middle East, the continent of Africa. And I'll let the secretary-general speak for himself, but I'm upbeat and optimistic about the future of the world."

Mr Annan said: "We've had a very good and lengthy meeting on a host of issues. We realize that last year we were all taken up with war, the question of war and peace in Iraq. But we have many other issues to work on together.

"The president and I have agreed on other areas which are important and that we will be working on." -APP