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WASHINGTON: The United States Tuesday welcomed the announcement of "effecting ceasefire" along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, and taking of steps for additional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), and hoped "these would lead to lessening of tension between Pakistan and India."

According to State Department sources, U.S. Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell spoke to Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri and Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, over telephone earlier Tuesday.

"Secretary Powell welcomed the ceasefire and another CBMs," the sources said adding, "He (Mr Powell) said these were an outgrowth of the actions taken by the two prime ministers-- Premier Atal Behari Vajpayee and Prime Minister (Mir Zafarullah Khan) Jamali." "We see ceasefire as providing an opportunity for India and Pakistan to further de-escalate tension...leading toward a normal relationship."

Besides LoC, he "also referred to" the Siachen Glacier. Secretary Powell "talked specifically" about measures leading to people-to-people contacts, communications and transportation links and hoped all these things proposed "would be implemented soon."

World Adores

The UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, Britain and China have welcomed the move. A UN Spokesman said efforts made by two countries for confidence building and settlement of their disputes were encouraging.

A spokesman for the Chinese foreign office said, China appreciated the step and hoped it would lead to settlement of bilateral disputes including the issue of Kashmir.

British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, while welcoming the move said, "we hope Pakistan and India will work together to iron out their differences including Kashmir".

Japan has also welcomed the statement by Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on observance of a complete cease-fire along the Line of Control coming into effect after Ramadan as well as proposals to improve relations between Pakistan and India. The Government of Japan also welcomes the positive response by the Government of India to this effect. Japan hopes these efforts will further promote improvement in Pakistan - India relations.