Use the phrase 'Islamic Terrorism' with caution: Talbott

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) The phrase 'Islamic Terrorism' should be used with great caution and not treated as a slogan even though part of the terrorism in the world is being pre-dominantly spread by Muslims, former US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott said.

Mr Talbott, currently in India in his new capacity as President of the Brookings Institution, a US think-tank on policy research, told UNI that part of the challenge is to understand the meaning, nature and origin of the phrase.

''Otherwise there is the danger of falling into the trap like his Holiness, the Pope (Benedict) fell into,'' he added.

Mr Talbott was referring to Pope's recent comments about Prophet Mohammed and Jihad which sparked off violent protests in many countries.

He, however, admitted that the ''species'' of terrorism that had grown in the world, was pre-dominantly Muslim but cautioned against using the phrase like a slogan.

Mr Talbott disclosed that days after 9/11, President George Bush had visited the Washington Islamic Centre and assured Muslims that they were not to be blamed for the tragedy. He told them that some ''bad elements'' were responsible for the carnage.

''It was an extremely brave thing to do.'' About the recent talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at Havana, on the sidelines of the NAM Summit, the former Deputy Secretary of State said it was a ''correct, brave and wise decision to try again.'' ''This time the deal will work,'' he added.

Asked about Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's contribution to the fight against terrorism, Mr Talbott said he was seriously working to strengthen his country, to be recognised by the world as a successful and responsible leader and not to be assassinated.

''That puts him in a very complicated situation...He is constantly playng a balancing act,'' Mr Talbott added.

To a question on India's bid for the UN Security Council, Mr Talbott said India was a ''logical and legitimate candidate.'' But the going would be tough as there are some players in India's neighbourhood who would try to make it diffucult.

He did not identify any country, though.

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