Muslim Nations Address General Assembly November 10
(Leaders of Pakistan, Qatar and Iran condemn terrorism)(580) By Laura J. Brown Washington File Staff Writer United Nations -- The first day of the U.N.'s 56th General Assembly session included speeches by leaders of Pakistan, Qatar and Iran, who reiterated their support in the global anti-terrorist effort. President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan assured the international community that his country "has followed words with actions" to combat the scourge of terrorism. "At a time of such great turmoil when there is indeed a need for clear thought and firm action, I come from Pakistan with a message of determination and of resolve as well as a message of peace for all peoples," he said. Musharraf said the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were an "act for which no grievance or cause can ever be a justification, an act that must be condemned unambiguously and in the strongest words." The Pakistani president rejected the notion that the terrorists acted in the name of Islam. "Terrorism is not a Christian, Buddhist, Jewish or a Muslim belief," he said. "It is to be condemned no matter who the perpetrator, be it an individual, a group or a state." Musharraf also spoke on the root causes of terrorism, saying that the unresolved political disputes in regions have caused a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness among the populations involved. In his address, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, condemned the terrorist attacks of September 11 and said that "Muslims deplore those who deliberately try to link Islam with terrorism." "Our peoples condemn and reject all attempts to distort the image of Islam and those who abuse and terrorize its adherents and jeopardize their lives, dignity and interest," Al-Thani said. The emir, who chaired the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held in Doha in October, said Islamic countries are united in condemning terrorism. "Our unanimous agreement in condemning what happened emanates from the values of our true religion that is based on tolerance, justice, equality and cooperation among people, and forbids the taking of human life unjustly," he said. Al-Thani said the international community must work to rebuild confidence among people, contain fear that demoralizes citizens, and stop the threat of economic recession. "The greatest repose and serenity we can offer to the souls of the victims of that criminal act... is for the international community as a whole to stand up not only to confront what happened but also to act with determination to avoid repetition of such acts in the future," he said. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami praised the "decisive, immediate and unequivocal global condemnation of the terrorist attacks" and said it "represents the emergence of a public attitude and common political will all over the world to counter terrorism in all its manifestations." The solution to the terrorist threat, Khatami said, "requires vision, strong political will and active participation and cooperation of all members of the human community." (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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