ISLAMABAD: U.S. President George W. Bush has said that he had begun to "play a role" in the resolution of the Kashmir issue with his speech to the Asia Society two days ago. He said he would use his trip to the subcontinent to urge the leadership of India and Pakistan to resolve it.

"Well, I started to play a role in my speech, and I spoke out on the issue and encouraged the [Pakistan] President and the Prime Minister of India to continue down the road of solving the issue with a solution that's acceptable to all sides. And that's very important," Mr. Bush told state-run Pakistan Television in an interview in Washington on Saturday.

Mr. Bush also said without elaborating that sometimes there was a temptation for countries to try to jump in the middle of a dialogue.

He maintained that a lasting solution to Kashmir could be found. He saw the progress that had been made in the relationship from the time he first became President.

"You might remember an early time in my Presidency, there was real tension. And now, all of a sudden, there are some very encouraging signs — transportation exchanges — not just transportation exchanges — new transportation opportunities, trade. In my discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister, there appears to be a different attitude. And part of it has to do with trust, but there's got to be tangible progress. I recognise that. And so I will use my trip to urge the leadership to continue solving this issue, with the idea that it can be solved," the President said in response to a question whether the U.S. was ready to play a role in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Washington strategy

On Washington's strategy to help Pakistan tackle terrorism, he said his Government was working in close coordination with Islamabad as it shared a mutual interest. "Nobody should want foreign fighters in their soil wreaking havoc. And it is hard for a part of a country to develop if there are people in that part of the country who are willing to kill innocent life to achieve an objective. And so we share short-term objectives with the Pakistani Government. We also share the long-term objective, and that is — that's freedom."

Mr. Bush termed his trip to Pakistan an important goodwill visit.

He referred to President Pervez Musharraf as his "buddy" and said both had a good relationship as they spoke frankly with each other.

Difficult job

Mr. Bush said Gen. Musharraf had a difficult job — made really difficult by the fact that an attempt was made to kill him. "As you know — extremists have decided that he is an obstacle to their vision and, therefore, have tried to kill him. And so he is not only a man who has shown great courage in the face of adversity, but he does have a vision of how to work together to achieve common objectives."

Asked about the U.S.' long-term involvement with Pakistan, Mr. Bush conceded that he understood people questioning the motives of Washington.

"And this will give me a chance to speak to the people of Pakistan and say, look, we care for you, and remind people that in our country there're great Pakistani Americans. We are a rich society because we have got people from around the world, including people who were born and raised in Pakistan and have now chosen America as a home."

To a question what he had to offer Pakistan, Mr. Bush said the two countries would look forward to increasing trade opportunities and he would talk about a bilateral investment treaty.

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