White House Says America's Goal Is to Reduce Tensions

— -- The United States again finds itself playing the role of peacemaker in South Asia.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in New Delhi today to deter Indian officials from a rash response to last week's terror attacks in Mumbai. Sources say Rice will continue on to Islamabad Thursday to urge neighboring Pakistan to cooperate with India's investigation of the attacks.

"I have said that Pakistan needs to act with resolve and urgency to cooperate fully and transparently," Rice told reporters in New Delhi today. "That message has been delivered and will be delivered to Pakistan."

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, will make the reverse trip, with stops in Pakistan today and in India Thursday. Mullen will seek a commitment from Pakistan's military in going after the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.

"One of the reasons the president wanted Secretary Rice and Adm. Mullen to go to the region was, of course, to help reduce tensions, which is our goal," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters today.

U.S. diplomats say President Bush has been particularly angered by Pakistan's unwillingness to cooperate.

Rice's expected message to Pakistan is: "The time to cooperate is now," according to a senior U.S. diplomat. "The ball is in Pakistan's court right now. It's got to give 100 percent effort."

This week, Indians have taken to the streets demanding that those behind the attacks be pursued, and many have pointed a finger at Pakistan and urged the Indian government to go after terror networks there -- with or without Islamabad's permission.