Rice demands Pakistan help in probe of attacks

NEW DELHI — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought Wednesday to refocus India and Pakistan on a common fight against terrorism and away from their mutual suspicions of one another, but neither country seemed willing to go along.

Rice made an emergency condolence visit to India a week after a coordinated terror assault on Western or financial targets in the Indian commercial capital of Mumbai. The attackers targeted symbols of the city's wealth, tourist appeal and Western outlook. Six Americans were among the 171 people who died.

(enlarge photo) U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks at a press conference at U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Pakistan must show 'resolve and urgency' as she called Wednesday for international cooperation in the investigation into the Mumbai attacks. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Rice spent the day urging cooperation between the nuclear rivals, but the rhetoric in both countries only grew hotter. The U.S. wants broader sharing of intelligence and a commitment by Pakistan to root out terror groups that have found a comfortable perch in the Muslim country.

"I informed Dr. Rice that there is no doubt that the terrorist attacks in Mumbai were perpetrated by individuals who came from Pakistan and whose controllers are in Pakistan," Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

That left Rice to say Pakistan bears a "special responsibility" to help get to the bottom of the attacks while awkwardly declining to finger Pakistani militants outright.

Mukherjee said the view that the Mumbai attacks were based in Pakistan is broadly shared around the world, putting Rice on the spot. She said she would not prejudge an investigation into the attacks.

While Rice was assuring India of U.S. help in fighting terrorism the top U.S. military officer was next door in Pakistan for closed-door talks.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was meeting civilian and military officials of both India and Pakistan during the trip, a senior defense official said Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The official declined to give details and spoke privately because the meetings were still under way, saying only "It's all about a cooperative approach to regional security."

Pakistan's president Asif Zardari indicated on Wednesday he would not hand over 20 suspects wanted by India and said they would be tried in Pakistan if there were evidence of wrongdoing.

Zardari's new civilian administration would likely face a fierce backlash from Muslim groups and nationalists if it simply handed over the suspects to Pakistan's old foe, India.

Thousands of Indians — many calling for war with Pakistan — gathered in Mumbai for a vigil to mark one week since the beginning of the deadly rampage.

More than 2,000 students marched through Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on Wednesday, shouting anti-US and anti-Indian slogans.

The Bush administration has had varying success in reframing its relationship with both countries, which have fought three wars with one another.

In Pakistan's case, a new civilian government has replaced a military government that was a strong ally of President George W. Bush in fighting terrorism. In India, a troubled nuclear cooperation deal finally came through this fall and both nations have said it signaled a fresh start after years of lingering Cold war distance.

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