Mahathir exchanges letters with Rabin

Mahathir exchanges letters with Rabin

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad said yesterday he had exchanged several letters with his
Israeli counterpart Yitzhak Rabin discussing Malaysian
recognition of the Jewish state.

Mahathir told reporters that Rabin had sent three letters to
Islamic Malaysia since Israel held peace talks with the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO). Mahathir said he had replied to
all of them, but has not decided to recognize Israel.

"They have indicated they would like to establish relations
with us. But we are not yet convinced that everything is settled
between the Israelis and the Palestinians," he said.

Mahathir disclosed the correspondence when asked about reports
that Tengku Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, brother of Malaysia's
king, met last week with Rabin and Israeli Foreign Minister
Shimon Peres in Israel.