The Associated Press Dec 30, 2002 : 4:31 am ET

KARACHI, Pakistan -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Monday that he had been prepared to use nuclear weapons if India crossed into its territory earlier this year when tensions were at a peak.

"I personally conveyed messages to (Indian) Prime Minister Vajpayee through every international leader who came to Pakistan, that if Indian troops moved a single step across the international border or Line of Control, they should not expect a conventional war from Pakistan," he told Pakistani Air Force veterans.

Tensions between India and Pakistan peaked earlier this year when both sides sent troops to their shared border after a deadly attack on the Indian Parliament last December. New Delhi blamed Islamabad, accusing Pakistan's spy agency of masterminding the assault that killed 14 people.

Pakistan denied the charge.

International diplomacy was set in motion to bring the two nuclear neighbors back from the brink of war. And in recent months it appeared that tensions had eased, with both sides saying they have withdrawn troops from the border and stepped back from their previous war footing.

Both India and Pakistan say they possess a minimum nuclear deterrent, although it is not know how many nuclear devices or type of weapon each country possesses. Remainder

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2002