Sovereign Palestine State: Musharraf for Joint Efforts by Muslim World                  
By Mujahid bin Syed 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday called for collective efforts by the Muslim world in setting a time line and working with the international community for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along Israel.

Addressing the 19th Summit of the Arab League, as special guest of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the President said the tragedy of Palestine cannot be allowed to fester indefinitely.

“We must set the time line and work with the international community for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security,” he added.

The President who has been discussing a new initiative with several Muslim countries to help peace efforts in the Middle East by seeking reduction of tensions and working for harmony in the Islamic world termed the initiative as supportive of “other endeavours”.

“We believe that the issues of the Arab World deeply impact on the entire Muslim Ummah and our collective effort will prove to be more effective in addressing them,” the President told the leaders gathered here to discuss measures to revive the Middle East peace efforts.

The President said the seven countries, representing a powerful voice from within the Islamic Ummah could develop a mechanism to promote objectives that are important for all the Muslim countries.

The President said the United States and Europe too have a historic responsibility. “More than any other issue, the failure to find a just solution of Palestine has damaged principles and moral content in contemporary politics,” he added.

The President said he was encouraged by his discussions with these leaders to work jointly to facilitate solutions to problems. He said in the Middle East, peace has remained disturbed for over six decades mainly because of the suffering of the Palestinians and denial of their fundamental right to live in freedom.

“The aggressive Israeli actions are increasing the volatility of the environment and impeding progress towards a just settlement,” the President said.

He also pointed at the crisis in Iraq and said it has implications far beyond the Iraqi borders.

“Tensions in the Gulf region are shaping an ominous confrontation that could have incalculable consequence globally, regionally and within the Ummah,” the President warned.

“We cannot remain hapless spectators mired in these and other conflicts and crises afflicting the Islamic world,” the President said and urged the leaders from across the Muslim world to join hands and work for solution on the basis of fairness, justice and realism.

The President also pointed to the new dangers, the Muslim countries were facing in the form of rise of extremist and obscurantist thinking and tendencies.

“Sectarian and ethnic divisions are tearing the fabric of many of our societies and draining our energies needed to ensure progress and development.”

The President said “a handful of fringe elements” must not be allowed to malign the culture of moderation and the noble religion of peace, tolerance and compassion through their acts of senseless terrorism.

President Pervez Musharraf also pointed at the campaign in the West to defame Islam and described these as “attempts to destabilise our societies through provocation.”

The President said there are forces scheming to push Islam and the West towards a clash.

Dangerous Trends

“These dangerous trends must be discouraged and countered to prevent a global disaster,” the President said.

“In these grave circumstances, we need harmony and peace, introspection and understanding, reform and reorientation to move in step with modern times and revive our glorious traditions and role for the good and advancement of human civilization.”

The President expressed satisfaction over the improvement of situation in the Palestinian territories with the conciliation between Fatah and Hamas through “wise and sincere mediation” by Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain and formation of the Palestinian national unity government.

“We hope that this summit will help forward movement towards the goal that you had together stated in the Beirut Declaration five years ago,” the President said while referring to the peace plan.

The plan called for full Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied since June 1967, in implementation of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and the land-for-peace principle, Israel’s acceptance of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and the Palestinian refugee problem, in return for the establishment of normal relations and comprehensive peace with Israel.

The President also referred to Pakistan’s peace efforts in South Asia and said the country was working to promote an environment of peace. He said peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the vital interest of Pakistan and the region.

“We are also addressing the long-standing Kashmir dispute for a just settlement which is imperative for a brighter future of our region,” he added.

President Musharraf also expressed satisfaction over the summit meeting between Saudi Arabia and Iran and said it had a salutary influence over the Gulf region.

He said it was vital that countries of the region work together to prevent a new conflict that would have serious consequences for the region, the Islamic countries, the developing countries and beyond on the wider international scene.

“Together, we can avert this disaster, with effective diplomacy. We owe this to our people and their future and to history,” the President said.

He said the challenges that the Islamic Ummah faces are multiple and require a concerted and united response.

The President also wished the summit success in taking important decisions to address the common challenges and difficulties confronting the Middle East.”Your challenges are our challenges. Your success in addressing them is our success,” he added.

Addressing King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, the President said; “We are happy to be the part of the summit as it represents a unique initiative by you to reach out to other brotherly Muslim countries who share your concerns and your aspirations. May Allah Almighty help us and guide us to meet the hopes and expectations of our people.”

Meeting with Erdogan

Another report says that President General Pervez Mushrarraf on Wednesday discussed the situation in Middle East, the lingering Palestinian dispute and Pak-Turkey bilateral relations with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish Prime Minister called on the President who is here in the Saudi capital to attend the 19th summit of Arab League and held wide ranging discussions covering all aspects of their multifaceted ties, besides the situation in the region and international issues of common concern.

President Musharraf also discussed the progress on the new initiative for the resolution of the crisis and said it was vital that all Muslim countries join hands to work collectively for reducing tensions and bringing harmony in the Islamic world.

The President who has visited several Muslims countries in the past few months to achieve the same objective, said resolution of the core issue of Palestine was necessary for lasting peace in the region.

The President and Prime Minister Erdogan also discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the need to further strengthen these in all spheres for the mutual good of their people.●