Bush to seek Mahathir's views on terrorism

Bush to seek Mahathir's views on terrorism

V.K.Chin, The Star, Selangor, Malaysia

The acknowledgement by the Bush administration on Malaysia's
contribution in the fight against terrorism should convince
critics that the government is not dragging its feet on this
issue. In fact, President George W. Bush is so pleased with
Malaysia's efforts that he would like to thank Prime Minister Dr
Mahathir Mohamad in person.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific
Affairs James A. Kelly said this at a news conference in Kuala
Lumpur on Monday. Kelly also described Malaysia as a beacon of
stability in this region and a moderate and predominantly Islamic
country in Southeast Asia.

The Mahathir administration has always taken a tough stance on
terrorism and those involved were detained under the Internal
Security Act.

The two leaders will meet in Washington next month to discuss
bilateral and international issues and even without further
details. The Middle East conflict and the fight against global
terrorism should feature prominently in their talks.

Kelly's positive remarks indicate that bilateral ties are
cordial and should end speculation that the U.S. is unhappy with
Malaysia because of its lack of cooperation in dealing with
terrorism. Kuala Lumpur has never been found wanting when it
comes to cooperation in fighting the menace posed by illicit
drugs and terrorism with international agencies.

Actually, Malaysia is one country that the U.S. should have
closer contact with in trying to find a solution to the
Palestinian problem. Malaysia can give an objective assessment,
as it is a modern and moderate Muslim country situated far from
the Middle East and therefore not directly involved with the
conflict there.

Kuala Lumpur recently played host to a highly successful
meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference in which all
the foreign ministers discussed and defined global terrorism.

President Bush no doubt would like a personal briefing on it
by the PM and his views of the Islamic world's thinking on this
key subject. The U.S. leader seems to have lost his way a bit in
his war against terrorism.

He is most probably looking for fresh leads and new ideas to
put his Middle East policy on track once again and assume a
leadership role in ending the conflict there.

Mahathir should also be able to brief the U.S. leader on his
meetings with leaders in these three states if necessary,
especially with Col. Moammar Qaddafi, who has been a thorn in
Washington's side for the past 30 years.

The Bush-Mahathir meeting therefore will be watched closely by
the Islamic countries since something positive could come out of
it -- which could have some bearing on finding a solution to the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the campaign against
international terrorism.