'Race row not harming ties'

'Race row not harming ties'

MELBOURNE (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
has reassured Australia that ties between the two nations remain
intact despite isolated incidents of racial abuse against young
Malaysians studying here.

Mahathir, who warned last month that Malaysia might recall its
students from Australia, wrote to an Australian state premier
expressing confidence that local authorities are ensuring the
safety of Malaysian students.

"I am glad that the Australians are as concerned about this
matter as are Malaysians," Mahathir wrote in the letter released
in Melbourne yesterday.

The letter was released by Victoria Premier Jeff Kennett, who
had written to Mahathir after the Malaysian leader warned that
thousands of students could be summoned home from Australia's
university and school campuses.