KL rejects U.S. plan for military base

KL rejects U.S. plan for military base

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has joined Thailand and Indonesia
in rejecting a U.S. plan for a new military base in Southeast
Asia following the withdrawal of American troops from Subic Bay
in the Philippines.

"We don't feel there is a need for such a base in Southeast
Asia because we don't feel threatened by anyone, including China
and Japan," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was quoted
saying in local newspapers yesterday.

Washington has been scouting for a base in the region ever
since it was ousted from the Philippines in 1992.

Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has turned down a U.S.
request for a base in the Gulf of Siam while Indonesian Foreign
Minister Ali Alatas has been quoted as saying that American
presence in the region should not be in the form of military
bases.