Mahathir accuses U.S. of meddling

Mahathir accuses U.S. of meddling

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused
the United States on Friday of supporting a move to topple his
government while blaming ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim for
"rioting" in Malaysia.

"He caused the rioting and he seemed to be aided by foreigners
such as Americans who have interfered in our domestic affairs,"
Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news
agency.

"The United States does not like me to be the prime minister
of Malaysia and when the service of the deputy prime minister was
ended, it got angry, came and supported the move to topple the
government," he reportedly said.

Mahathir, who was speaking during a meeting with about 1,500
rural settlers, appeared to be referring to U.S. Vice President
Al Gore. During a speech here last month, Gore praised "brave
Malaysians" calling for political reforms.