Mahathir accuses U.S. of racism

Mahathir accuses U.S. of racism

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad questioned yesterday whether U.S. opposition to the East
Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) was due to racism.

"Why the rejection? Is it because of our color?" Mahathir said
in reaction to Washington's reported opposition to the caucus
within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Mahathir mooted the EAEC, which was later adopted by ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations), to provide a voice for
economies in the booming East Asian region.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand. APEC groups ASEAN countries with others
including the United States and Australia.

"Clinton's administration used to be open-minded about the
EAEC, but we now hear that they have a definite stand against
it," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"We have said EAEC is not a trade bloc but a forum to give
strength to small countries like Malaysia when we negotiate with
other groups such as the European Union or the North America Free
Trade Area (NAFTA)," he added.