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.