THE President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, arrived in London on Friday to confer with Prime Minster Tony Blair, before flying off to Washington to discuss the progress of the 'war against terrorism'.

The President arrived here after stopovers in Tehran, Istanbul and Paris, whilst Tony Blair has returned from talks with President George Bush.

The number and frequency of personal meetings between world leaders is astonishing given the availability of high-tech video and conference telecommunications systems.

Perhaps the personal meetings are indicative of the need for human beings to discuss matters face to face. Yet despite all the overspun speeches and soundbites, one can only be depressed by the utter futility of causing death and destruction to the innocent citizens of Afghanistan, from high-flying bombers from the cold war era.

The President of Pakistan is in a real pickle because whilst he and his government have supported the military campaign against the Taliban government of Afghanistan there is a vociferous minority in Pakistan who are prepared to defy the governments stand and come out on to the streets; the silent majority are confused and anxious for the fact that their country has been dragged into a conflict which can only hurt the fabric and national cohesiveness of the country.

The president has been hoping against all the odds that the military action would be over in a matter of weeks, after the boil of American anger may have been lanced. Yet after a full month of bombing targets of any significance in Afghanistan the country is still considered too dangerous for western ground troops.

Moreover, if President Bush is to be believed then the aims of the war have been moved from the 'war against terrorism' to 'saving civilization'. At this point one is reminded of a quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, when he was asked, during a trip to London in the early 30s, as to what he thought of the "western civilization" to which he is reported to have replied that "it would be a good idea". Perhaps we need to understand there is very often more than one view to a question and just because "might" may be on your side does not invalidate the standpoint of a weaker opponent.

The bombing of Afghanistan seems so impersonal as we never see the pictures of the victims in the same manner we were able to see the destruction of the twin towers of the world trade center on 11 September. Yet we can be certain that there are innocent women and children joining the list of victims of collateral damage after every raid.

The President of Pakistan and indeed other Muslim supporters of the current campaign are hoping that if the military action cannot be over in the next fortnight then it may be suspended during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is considered by Muslims to be the holiest time of the year for prayer, alms giving, caring for your fellow human beings and indeed for the act of observing a daily fast from dawn to dusk, that bombing of defenceless civilians would be difficult to understand. It would be taken as "proof" by many of the insensitivity of western leaders towards Islam. The lip service that has been paid for the feelings of Muslims will not be accepted by any and as a result it will only alienate even greater numbers from their own governments.

The fact remains that in the Muslim world the case against Osama bin Laden has not been presented to the public, where the ordinary people might have been able to see his involvement with the terrorist actions in America.