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Bush looking forward to visit India, Pak

February 16, 2006 00:50 IST

United States President George W Bush is looking forward to his visit to India and Pakistan 'in a few weeks' and there is no question of his trip to Islamabad being cancelled as a result of the ongoing cartoon controversy and the resulting violence, the White House said.

"We have full confidence in the President's security detail and the job that they do. The President's trip remains on schedule, and the President looks forward to going to both India and to Pakistan in a few weeks," White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said.

He said: "In terms of the cartoons and the controversy there, I think we've expressed what our views are. And the President has made it clear that all governments need to act to prevent violence. There have been some peaceful demonstrations. Peaceful demonstrations are one thing, but there's no justification for engaging in violence."

"I think we all need to work together, and we can all look to the Olympics to see an example of the kind of events that promote better understanding of people of all backgrounds and all races and all religions, and we ought to keep that in mind during this time, as well," the spokesman said.

The White House has still not announced the dates or the programme of the President's visit to India and Pakistan.

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