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DAVOS (Switzerland): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday rejecting the theory of clash of civilizations said attention needs to be focussed on the root causes leading to extremism and terrorism.

"What leads to extremism? Militancy, unresolved political disputes, poverty, illiteracy... all this combined are a fodder for extreme religious indoctrination," Musharraf said in his address here at the World Economic Forum.

Modus Operandi to curb Extremism

President Musharraf "we need to attack the sources of extremism." He said his vision for security structure was his theory of Enlightened Moderation which he said was a solution to this malice.

In OIC, he said, we have decided to go on the path of enlightened moderation as a first step and decided to restructure the organisation. He said the two-pronged theory on the one hand calls upon the Muslim World to reject extremism and to go for socio-economic development.

On the other hand it calls upon the West, the United States and UN to move forward for socio economic emancipation of Muslim World by resolving all political disputes involving Muslims. "We need to correct the economic asymmetry that exists around the world."

He said the sources must be distributed in favour of the have nots and there is a need to bring harmony in equity and wealth. "Islam proposes an economic system which provides harmony in wealth and equity," he added.

Causes

President Musharraf briefly touched upon the causes leading to mis-perceptions among the Muslims that Islam was being targeted, while the West felt that Islam is a religion of militancy, extremism and intolerance.

End of Cold War

He said it was hoped that the end of the cold war will usher in era of peace and stability but it did not. The disputes of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir are festering wounds.

The 9/11 attacks exacerbated the situation internationally. The operation in Iraq further complicated the tense situation in the Muslim world. The unfortunate part was that all political disputes involved the Muslims and they watched on television what was happening to their brothers and sisters.

"The environment in the Muslim World led to deep feelings of injustice, abandonment, hopelessness and a sense of deprivation," he said. "The fallout was resignation and desperation. Over and above when combined with poverty and low literacy level it became an ideal recipe for extremism."

Islam's Perceptions

In fact, Musharraf said, "Islam negates is not contrary to democracy and modernism."

The theory of clash of civilizations further complicated the things. "All over turmoil, world became very dangerous place to live in."

He said, "like any religion Islam preaches moderation, justice and equality and does not preach extremism and militancy." "Islam does not professes hatred or militancy and is not in conflict with democracy, modernism, secularism," Musharraf said.

He said it calls for "Ijma" and "Ijtehad" which are what is a process of consultation in a democratic set up and is not anti-thesis to modernism. He said the religion Islam provides a continuous review of modern thinking process and is always supposed to remain current."

President said Islam protects minorities and gives them equal rights. "It is inherently, modern, secular, democratic. This is reality," he added.

President Musharraf told the gathering that any actions which are in contradiction to what he had said about Islam must not be projected as the injunctions of faith and the religion itself.

Western Media's Role

The Western Media, he said, projected two extremes when Islam is debated. Religious bigots are brought to media who give extremist views on our religion. On the other hand ultra modern personalities condemn their own customs, culture and religion to appease the West.

"The vast majority of the moderates remain out of the loop, and are seen by the West as extremists. Islam is seen through the eyes of extremists from both sides," Musharraf added.

He said, Islam does not negate any revealed religion and believes in Moses and Jesus.

Lamps n' Lights

He quoted a Muslim saint Jalaluddin Roomi who said; "Lamps might be different but light is the same."

President Musharraf said, cultural and moral values may be different but this would not lead to clash of civilizations.

"We are not living in medieval ages. Economy was not the center piece at that time which moved the people. Now in this era of geo economics for progress and prosperity of all the human race, the collective emancipation of the entire human race is the center point now."

All human race has to be taken around through interdependence rather clash, interaction between haves and have nots is essential so we can work together for the good of mankind.

"This theory of clash of civilization ought to be rejected as inherently flawed," President Musharraf said.

Peace Overtures

President Musharraf dilating upon the peace efforts in the region said Islamabad declaration of January 6 is the first step towards achieving peace and harmony in South Asia.

He said "I am hopeful that with resolve and sincerity we would move on the path of peace which would lead to economic emancipation of the region."

To a question as to how optimist he was to achieve sustainable reconciliation, Musharraf said "the way forward is the initiation of a composite dialogue on all issues including the lingering dispute of Jammu and Kashmir."

"We have now reached a start point ... a very good beginning."

'Time is on our Side'

To a question about Afghanistan, President Musharraf said, "I am very sure that strategic threat from concentration of al-Qaeda and Taliban is not there. Effective operation is going on both sides ... Time is on our side."

He said reconstruction work in Afghanistan was going on.

Afghanistan is definitely moving to an era of consolidation and reconstruction is gaining momentum but added it needs to go faster. Politically and militarily things are improving.

He said in the meanwhile operation against Osama bin Laden will continue and he will not be a hinderance in the stabilisation of political institutions in Afghanistan. The Loya Jirga has already approved the constitution of the country.

When asked about stability of democracy in Pakistan, President Musharraf said "religious extremism in Pakistan does not impinge on democracy. Failure has roots in other issues."

In a lighter vein he said, "I am very glad that you are relying on man in uniform to bring democracy."

He said a number of measures have been taken for political restructuring in the country and the empowerment of masses through local government system have taken roots.

"We have also put in place a very effective system of checks and balances at highest level.

Sustainable Democracy

"I feel that sustainable democracy has been introduced in Pakistan and it would not be derailed because of acts of extremism and terrorism.

Nuclear Proliferation

When asked about the issue of nuclear proliferation, President Musharraf categorically stated, "Let me assure you Pakistan is an extremely responsible state.

All strategic assets are under total custodial control. Pakistan government has never and will never proliferate."

Pakistani Scientists

Musharraf said, "there are aspersions on some Pakistani scientists but they are not alone. There are aspersions on scientists of other countries and those belonging to the underworld. This needs to be investigated."

He said, investigations are being carried out whether for personal gains somebody did something wrong. He said anyone found guilty would be treated as "anti-state element." He reiterated his guarantee that Pakistan will not proliferate and its nuclear assets were in extremely safe hands.

Economic Revival

To a question about his biggest challenge, President Musharraf said first is to sustain the process of economic revival which is basis for any development. The second is extremism. These issues are sapping our energies.

Moot Backdrop

The forum is being attended by 2100 participants from around 94 countries. Heads of state or government from 30 nations are also participating.

The World Economic Forum with some of the World's top corporate enterprises as its members, has emerged as an important platform for dialogue between political, corporate intellectuals and other leaders on global peace, security and development issues to promote mutually beneficial partnerships between these key
player.

Special Focus

The Annual Meeting this year is specially focusing on global security and growth issues and how the new risks and threats pose to the global order can be managed.

Besides, building corporate resilience, purring innovation and harnessing the diversity of values and reducing equity in the light of the contemporary realities are some of the other areas, which will be subjects for discussion at Davos.

Discusses situation in Afghanistan with NATO Secretary General

President General Pervez Musharraf and NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer in a meeting on the sidelines of World Economic Forum Thursday discussed the situation in Afghanistan.

Both the leaders discussed reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Afghanistan and expressed satisfaction over steady progress and political stabilization there.

President Musharraf also held meeting with President of Swiss Confederation Joseph Deiss and discussed bilateral issues with particular focus on enhancing trade between the two countries.