PESHAWAR, May 24: The United States should support democratic forces rather than dictators in the Muslim world, respect rights of tribesmen and bridge the widening gap between the Muslim world and the West. This was the crux of a critical review of the 9/11 Commission Report presented by three Peshawar University students at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday.

Rehmat Wali and Ms Ruth Javed, students of International Relations Department, and Siraj Wazir, a student of University Law College, who went through the 565-page Commission Report, read out their papers on the recommendations of the commission.

They were of the view that the US administration earned the hatred of the Muslim world by launching a media campaign against militant groups who were seen as freedom fighters in many Muslim countries. The students also noted that the US used these groups against Soviet occupation forces in Afghanistan and later dumped them.

Siraj Wazir, who belongs to the North Waziristan Agency, opposed army operation in his area and urged the US government not to promote acts of killing anywhere in the world, including North Waziristan.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Allison Dyess, Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate in Peshawar, which hosted the programme, said the event aimed at creating awareness about the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, and their impact on the lives of young people in the NWFP.

At the core of the programme was the 9/11 Commission Report. The report was written by a panel formed by the US president and Congress in November 2002. The commission consisted of five Democrats and five Republicans and investigated events relating to the Sept 2001 attacks. The commission reviewed over 2.5 million pages and interviewed over 1,200 people in 10 countries. Its report includes 13 chapters and over 400 pages of facts and recommendations.

Eight students formed a discussion group at the US Consulate. They represented the departments of International Relations, Political Science, and Law.

The students were asked to make a presentation based on what they learned from the 9/11 Commission Report, and how their lives were affected by the events of Sept 11, 2001.

The result of this exercise included presentations prepared by the discussion group and delivered to their fellows and faculty of their departments.

Each student received a certificate of appreciation from the US Consulate. The top two presenters, chosen by faculty members who acted as judge, delivered their presentation at the press club and received plaques for their outstanding performances.