Schroeder arrives in Malaysia

Schroeder arrives in Malaysia

MALAYSIA: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder arrived in Malaysia on Sunday for a three-day official visit which is part of a short trip to four Southeast Asian countries.

His visit to Malaysia is the first such trip by a German chancellor to this mainly Muslim country. Schroeder is also scheduled to visit Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam before heading back home on May 16.

Schroeder's trip to Malaysia comes ahead of scheduled visits by French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin in coming months.

Just like Malaysia, the three European countries opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is regarded as a strong voice in the Islamic and developing worlds.

Mahathir has upset Washington with his outspoken criticism of its Middle East policies, but Kuala Lumpur has supported the U.S. war on terror launched in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. -- Reuters