Bush to thank Mahathir for help in foiling terrorism

Bush to thank Mahathir for help in foiling terrorism

Agencies, Kuala Lumpur

A visiting senior U.S. official praised Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday, showing clearly how attitudes have changed since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

James A. Kelly, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told a news conference that Mahathir will receive warm thanks from U.S. President George Bush when he visits the White House on May 13-15.

"Over the last six months we have been gratified by the strong contributions made by Dr. Mahathir, the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people to the international effort to eradicate terrorism," Kelly said at the end of a three day visit to Kuala Lumpur.

Kelly also said on Monday that the United States was "more than generally satisfied" with the response of all Southeast Asian countries -- including Indonesia -- to the international fight against terrorism.

"I have no criticism to make of any countries around this region," said Kelly, adding that "that includes Indonesia."

The world's most populous Islamic country, Indonesia has been faulted by some of its neighbors for not doing enough to rein in Muslim extremist groups.

Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines have arrested dozens of suspects they accuse of being members of an al-Qaeda-linked Islamic militant network with cells across Southeast Asia.

Authorities in the neighboring countries say Indonesians are key members of the network, but Indonesian authorities have made few arrests.

Kelly, speaking during a three-day visit to Malaysia, praised the government of Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri for its response, noting that the country was going through difficult economic and political changes.

"Governments have responded in different ways that are appropriate to their situation," Kelly said. "With respect to every singly country in Southeast Asia, I am very much in ... appreciation.

Kelly said he did not raise the case of Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy prime minister now serving 15 years for sodomy and abuse of power, even though Washington says Anwar's trials were flawed and politically tainted.

Anwar on Monday joined a hunger strike by opposition and human rights activists to demand the release of six supporters held without trial.

Mahathir's visit will be his first to the U.S. since 1994 and his rising stock reflects how much the United States values having a strong, moderate Muslim leader on its side.

"As a moderate and predominantly Islamic country in Southeast Asia, Malaysia plays an important role in the global war on terror and is a beacon of stability in the region," Kelly said.

Malaysia's relations with the United States soured in 1998 over the Clinton administration's advocacy of Anwar, who was sacked and jailed after challenging Mahathir.

Relations showed little sign of improving under Bush until after the Sept. 11 events.

But, Mahathir was quick to sign up for the war on terror after Bush issued his "with us, or against us" call to the world community, while Anwar was compromised by his alliance with the fundamentalist Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS).

"In the case of President Bush it is very important to say thank you to a respected leader for a very stirring response in the global campaign against terror," Kelly said, after announcing the White House invitation to Mahathir.

The international hunt for suspected militants lent credibility to a crackdown on Muslim militants at home, and fueled suspicion among peace-loving Malaysians about the main Islamic opposition, some of whose supporters were arrested.