'Pre-emptive raids must be retaliated'

'Pre-emptive raids must be retaliated'

MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Tuesday that Malaysia would give a "bloody nose" to any foreign governments that launch pre-emptive strikes against terrorists here.

Mahathir's warning in a nationally televised New Year's Eve speech were an apparent reference to Australian Prime Minister John Howard's stance advocating pre-emptive attacks against militants in Southeast Asia.

Mahathir, who has led Malaysia for 21 years, said his nation had not won independence - from Britain in 1957 - just so that foreigners could come here and do whatever they want.

"Remember, it is such unfairness and arrogance that drove a weak and frustrated race to resort to terrorism in retaliation," Mahathir said. "They had no choice."

Mahathir did not name the race, but has said previously that oppression of the Palestinians is one of the reasons behind Palestinian suicide bomb attacks. --AP