WASHINGTON Ñ President George Bush wants the United
States to use foreign aid to promote moderate Islam, according to a National Security Strategy document
released by the White House last week.
The document said the United States
must help moderate Islamic regimes fight extremism.
"The war on terrorism is not a clash of civilizations," the report said.
"It does, however, reveal the clash inside a civilization, a battle for the
future of the Muslim world. This is a struggle of ideas and this is an area
where America must excel."
The report said the United States will work closely with allies to
ensure that terrorist ideas are not supported, Middle East Newsline reported. This includes the promotion
of democracy, freedom of information and development.
The report said the United States will primarily aid Islamic and other
states battle terrorism by ensuring military and security aid. Washington
will also help allies block financing to Islamic insurgency groups.
"Our immediate focus will be those terrorist organizations of global
reach and any terrorist or state sponsor of terrorism
which attempts to gain or use weapons of mass destruction or their
precursors," the report said. "While the United States will constantly
strive to enlist
the support of the international community, we will not hesitate to act
alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting
preemptively against such terrorists, to prevent them from doing harm
against our people and our country."
The U.S. strategic document also stressed the need to resolve the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The document called for the establishment of
an independent and democratic Palestinian state and a halt to Jewish
settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
"The United States, the international donor community, and the World
Bank stand ready to work with a reformed Palestinian government on economic
development, increased humanitarian assistance, and a program to establish,
finance, and monitor a truly independent judiciary," the report said. "If
Palestinians embrace democracy, and the rule of law, confront corruption,
and firmly reject terror, they can count on American support for the
creation of a Palestinian state."