Reject 'clash of civilisations'

Visiting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf (L) shakes hands with an honour guard (R) as Philippine President Gloria Arroyo (C) looks on during an arrival ceremony at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila Tuesday. Musharraf arrived in the Philippines late Monday for a three-day state visit expected to boost security cooperation between two frontline states in the US-led war on terrorism. PHOTO: AFP

In a speech before both houses of the Philippine Congress, Musharaff also called for a rejection of terrorism but asked the developed world to address the political and economic divisions in poorer countries that give rise to it.

"We must reject the false notions of 'clash of civilisations', especially conflict between Islam and the West," he said, adding that "terrorism or extremism has no religion".

He reaffirmed Pakistan's role as "part of the international coalition against terrorism" but said the world must do more to address its "root causes".

Musharraf called on Islamic nations to practice "enlightened moderation" and "to reject extremism and intolerance and promote socio-economic development that is lacking in many Islamic societies".

But he also urged "Western nations to help resolve long-standing political disputes that have caused so much pain in the Islamic world". He did not specify what these disputes were.

Musharraf cited the reforms carried out under his government in Pakistan, an Islamic republic, saying democracy had progressed and economic growth and stability had been sustained under his administration.

Musharraf said he hoped Pakistan would become a "dynamic and moderate Islamic country," but conceded that "our neighbourhood has remained disturbed," due to turmoil in Afghanistan and Islamabad's dispute with India over Kashmir.

The Pakistani leader also vowed continued support for Philippine peace efforts aimed at ending a decades-old Muslim insurgency through negotiations and called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to lay down its arms.

The Philippine government in turn, must respect the rights, tradition and culture of its Muslim minority who are based in Mindanao, he added.

"I urge the Muslims of the Philippines, my brothers in faith, to shun the path of confrontation, suppress extremism and contribute to the socio-economic progress of their country," Musharraf said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and India must seize the "historic opportunity" for peace in the wake of the recent meeting of the two countries' leaders, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said here yesterday.

Addressing the Philippine Congress following his trip to New Delhi last week, Musharraf said that he was "encouraged by my interaction" with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders.