Malaysia ready for islands talks

Malaysia ready for islands talks

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia is prepared to hold top-level discussions with Indonesia to try to find a solution to a claims dispute over Sipadan and Ligitan islands, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Saturday.

The national Bernama news agency quoted Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying that previous talks at the official and ministry levels had failed to solve the issue.

"A settlement can only be worked out at discussions involving leaders at the highest level," Abdullah told reporters, apparently referring to a possible summit between Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Indonesia's President Soeharto.

The islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, off the main island of Borneo, have long been claimed by Malaysia and Indonesia.

The minister said it was because the earlier talks had failed that Malaysia proposed the dispute be referred to the International Court of Justice. But Indonesia has asked for bilateral talks involving leaders to resolve the issue.

Abdullah said Malaysia was ready for the top-level meeting but could not say when it would take place.