International   

W. Asia peace initiative

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Indonesia and Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to act in concert to form a "framework of like-minded Muslim-populated countries" for promoting peace in West Asia.

Dino Pati Djalal, top aide to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, told The Hindu over the telephone from Jakarta that the initiative was still very much "a general idea." The objective, however, was to bring together those countries in the Islamic world that could play a key role for peace within that bloc.

Mr. Susilo and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf "discussed" it in Jakarta. Mr. Dino Pati said Mr. Susilo "absolutely" supported Gen. Musharraf's suggestion in this regard. Pakistan endorsed the Indonesian move to convene an international conference of "Shia-Sunni ulema".

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Koirala invites agitating Terai groups for dialogue
11 killed in Sri Lanka blast
Stonehenge settlement
W. Asia peace initiative
Terrorists need to be hit: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister
Indian women police going places
Lord Paul: it adds prestige to all Indians
Reaching out to Indian prisoners

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu