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Musharraf Warns Of 'Iron Curtain' Between West, Muslims


6 July 2004 -- Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, has warned of the danger of a "new Iron Curtain" falling between the West and the Muslim world.

In a speech in Sweden to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Musharraf said political injustices, poverty, and illiteracy are fueling religious fundamentalism and terrorism in the Muslim world.

Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless military coup in 1999, urged the West, particularly the United States, and Muslim countries to work to eradicate the root causes of anger and resentment among the population.

He said a successful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could reduce global terrorism by up to 75 percent.

Musharraf is expected today to continue his tour in Finland.

(AP/AFP)

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