WASHINGTON, Jan 28: Secretary of State Colin Powell talked to President Pervez Musharraf by telephone on Monday and discussed with him the India-Pakistan situation.

Mr Powel also talked about the kidnapped American journalist Daniel Pearl and steps being taken to recover him.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told his daily press briefing that the US was working closely with Pakistan authorities to seek the journalist’s release, and appreciated the strong cooperation from officials in both Islamabad and in Karachi.

AFP adds: “The secretary spoke with President Musharraf this morning about the situation and noted our strong interest in seeing it resolved, and President Musharraf assured him the Pakistan government is making every effort to locate him and to secure his freedom,” Mr Boucher said.

Mr Pearl “should be released immediately and unconditionally,” Mr Boucher added, reiterating the US denials of the kidnappers’ claims that the journalist was working for the CIA.

US Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrived in Pakistan on Monday to join the search for Mr Pearl who disappeared last Wednesday after telling his wife he was going to interview the leader of a religious group.

A group calling itself the National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty admitted kidnapping Mr Pearl in an e-mail that contains pictures of the reporter in captivity.—AFP