Mahathir arrives in East Timor

Mahathir arrives in East Timor

EAST TIMOR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in
East Timor late on Wednesday leading a high-level delegation of
ministers and business executives.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and foreign minister Jose Ramos-
Horta welcomed Mahathir and his wife at Dili international
airport.

"I hope East Timor can have good cooperation with Malaysia and
together we can develop East Timor," said the Malaysian leader,
who steps down on Oct. 31 after 22 years in power.

Alkatiri said Malaysia had pledged assistance for East Timor's
fledgling army in addition to business opportunities.

His office said in a statement that the visit was aimed at
strengthening bilateral relations and to discuss technical
cooperation and investment opportunities. -- AFP