Malaysia's move on US rejection

Malaysia's move on US rejection

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia would resort to concerted efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to thwart Washington's opposition to the East Asia Economic Caucus, officials said yesterday.

"It would have to be a concerted ASEAN effort. After all, the EAEC, although mooted by Malaysia, is already an ASEAN initiative," a top Malaysian government official said.

The official's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed to find ways to overcome fresh US opposition to the EAEC, following a report that US President Bill Clinton's administration had officially informed Japan it had rejected the caucus.

Kyodo news agency of Japan had reported Wednesday that a U.S official in Tokyo conveyed the Clinton administration's renewed rejection of the EAEC to the Japanese government after ASEAN officials had briefed Washington on the caucus during a dialogue last month.