Mahathir unfazed by Clinton snub

Mahathir unfazed by Clinton snub

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's prime minister on Friday brushed off U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision not to pay a courtesy call on him during a regional trade meeting in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Clinton is scheduled to visit Malaysia next month for a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. But U.S. officials said Clinton will not pay the usual courtesy visit on the head of the host country because of U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's ordered jailing of dissident Anwar Ibrahim.

"I did not ask for it," Mahathir said of the courtesy call. "I must emphasize that APEC is all about economic cooperation. It has nothing to do with political issues."

Several countries have expressed support for Anwar since he was arrested on charges of corruption and illegal homosexual acts. He later appeared in court with a black eye and other injuries.