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Blair asks Pak to stop cross-border terrorism

H S Rao in London

The Indo-Pak stand-off echoed in British Parliament where Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was essential for Pakistan to stop supporting cross-border terrorism in Kashmir and for India to offer a mechanism for resumption of bilateral dialogue.

Describing the situation on the border as 'grave', Blair urged the two countries to 'pause and reflect' before taking any action.

"It is essential in the end that Pakistan stops support for any form of terrorism in Kashmir and that at the same time India is prepared to offer a proper system of dialogue to resolve all issues," Blair told the House of Commons on Wednesday.

"I do urge both countries... to pause and reflect before taking action that could plunge not just their countries into conflict but the wider region, with implications for the whole of the world," Blair said.

He said Britain would 'do everything we possibly can' to try to 'remove the cause of conflict' between the two nations.

Asked whether Blair had spoken to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee about the increased tension in Kashmir or whether he had any plans to do so, the British Premier's official spokesman said: "The prime minister maintains regular contact with both President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also kept in contact with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts and would be visiting the region next week, he said.

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