Pakistan Downplays Troop Move

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari moved to calm rising tensions with India after thousands of Pakistani troops were redeployed from the Afghan border to the Indian border. "We ourselves have accepted that we have a cancer," he said in a televised speech Saturday, referring to terrorism. "They are forcing their agenda on us." Anxiety rose after the redeployment and the announcement that military leave options were canceled. Some analysts believed Pakistan was preparing for a conflict with India but Pakistan has again reassured India that war is not its goal. India has been on edge since the Mumbai terrorist attacks last month that killed 164. "I appeal to Pakistan and Pakistani leaders, do not unnecessarily try to create tension," the Indian Foreign Minister said Saturday of the "war hysteria."