The Muslim Solution
At first glance, a Muslim solution to a Muslim problem is ideal. However, the deep internal rifts between Sunni and Sh'ia have increased widely in recent years, particularly due to sectarian violence in Iraq. Nevertheless, rather than focussing its sights on Iran, the US and its dwindling list of allies would do well to consider the Musharraf-Yudhoyono initiative. Frankly, they don't have any good ideas of their own.
Indonesia, Pakistan seek Muslim Mideast initiative|International News|Reuters.com
Musharraf said action was needed now. "We both felt that the time has come for action and there is no room for complacency, because things are moving so fast, deteriorating so fast," he said.
Yudhoyono said that both Indonesia and Pakistan faced a similar threat from terrorism.
"We have to deal with this threat properly, not only directly combating the act of terrorism, but also addressing the root causes of terrorism," he said.
The two countries are important U.S. allies in the so-called "war on terror", but have differences over some of Washington's policies, particularly in the Middle East.
