Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Addresses dialogue forum in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Tariq Majid has said the cumulative effect of happenings in the Middle East, sledge-hammer approach of the coalition forces in contiguous Pashtun areas of Afghanistan, cross-border missile strikes causing civilian deaths in Fata and tendency of some of the western countries to micro-manage our counter-terrorism policies have created a perception that the global war on terrorism is directed at Muslims. He was addressing participants of the 7th Shangri-La Dialogue organised in Singapore by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).

Besides stoking tribal revenge and gravitating support from elsewhere in their fight against the so-perceived anti-Islam war, this is obviously aggravating the conflict situation, he said. Despite tactical and operational successes both inside Afghanistan and in Pakistan, the strategic goal of security stabilisation remains elusive. In fact the security situation has become more tenuous and complex as the challenges to domestic and regional stability have increased manifold, he said. He highlighted the need for review of policy approach and operational mechanism to make timely readjustments critical to success.

He said the way forward is to address the root causes and we must also recognise the reality that countering terrorism requires change of mindset and it is impossible to get rid of violent extremism by military means alone, rather a more holistic approach is needed to create an environment not conducive to terrorism and extremism.

"We should adopt a re-prioritised comprehensive strategy based on political engagement and socioeconomic development, backed by essential military force to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism," he said.

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