Washington: The White House has described the March 4 telephonic conversation
between Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and US President George W Bush as one
between "allies".
Asked whether the call by Bush had anything to do with India-Pakistan tensions,
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said, "The President and Prime Minister Vajpayee
talk from time to time. It is not predicated on any one event or another. It is part
of what allies do.
"And the situation involving Kashmir and the line of control has long been a
contentious issue and an issue that involves tension on both sides, and so this is a
matter of ongoing diplomacy by the United States."
About the telephonic conversation, Fleischer said Bush and Vajpayee spoke and agreed
about the need for Iraq to fully disarm and comply with the UN Security Council
resolution 1,441.
"They also discussed the need for calm along the line of control and decided to
remain in close consultation."
PTI
