KL set to buy

KL set to buy
Russian jets

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia announced yesterday it was ready
to sign a pact with Russia for the purchase of 18 MiG-29 fighter
jets with payment in cash and palm oil, saying negotiations with
Moscow were near completion.

"The negotiations on the MiGs are in the final stages,"
Malaysia's Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak said after talks with
visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Panov at his
office here.

"We're confident of reaching an agreement in a matter of
days," Najib told reporters, adding that the signing for the
purchase would take place "when the Russians decide to come down
to sign."

A defense official, however, said the agreement could be
formalized by next month.