Washington, Nov 04: Claiming that the greatest obstacle to Palestinian statehood was "Palestinian terrorism", US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has suggested Palestinians could adopt Gandhian principles to bring "enormous changes" quickly. With President George W Bush prepared to put pressure on Israelis to change, Wolfowitz said, "If the Palestinians would adopt the ways of Gandhi, they could, in fact, make an enormous change very, very quickly. I believe the power of individuals demonstrating peacefully is enormous."

Addressing students in Georgetown University in Washington DC most of his speech and answer to questions from students were devoted to "winning the battle of ideas" in the Islamic world. He said that while those "madrassas that turn out terrorists are well-funded", those which teach respect for all religions and teach that Islam is a peaceful religion are starved of funds.

Wolfowitz added that American success in Iraq and peace between Israel and Palestinians will strengthen moderates in the Islamic world.
Bureau Report