We cannot predict when the next flare up might occur in the region, but tensions are higher now than they have been since the last Indo-Pakistani war in 1971. We are concerned that, through misunderstanding or through gradual escalation, the two countries could once again find themselves in conflict. The President has a responsibility to our nation and to the world to do what he can to avoid such a dangerous development. The President believes it is crucial that he carry a message of restraint and dialogue to both capitals on this trip. He also wants to assure that we have lines of communication that may be necessary in a crisis, the kind of relationship that enable him to play the effective role he did with Nawaz Sharif last July.
Terrorism is another vital American interest at play in Pakistan and next door in Afghanistan.
The terrorists in their camps in Afghanistan, especially Osama bin Laden, all too clearly aim directly at American and American lives. This will be high on the President's agenda. Democracy in Pakistan was interrupted on October 12. Some have urged the President to avoid Pakistan to demonstrate our displeasure at the military coup there. And it would dishearten those in Pakistan who have stood for secular, western oriented democracy for 50 years.