Downer: Azizah meeting cancelled

Downer: Azizah meeting cancelled

ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters): The wife of Malaysia's jailed
former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday she did not
believe she had been snubbed by the Australian government after
it canceled a high level meeting with her at the weekend.

Azizah Ismail said support continued to grow for Anwar, whose
imprisonment for a total of 15 years on sodomy and conspiracy
charges sparked international outrage.

Azizah later spoke to Downer by telephone but said she
regretted a lost opportunity to meet him in person.

She conceded there was "a remote possibility" Australia might
want to avoid risking further damage to its volatile ties with
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Australia and Malaysia have clashed politically over a number
of issues in recent years, not least Anwar's conviction when
Canberra questioned the independence of Malaysia's judiciary.