Threat to cut KL military aid opposed

Threat to cut KL military aid opposed

UNITED STATES: U.S. President George W. Bush's administration
said on Tuesday it opposed tying US$1.2 million in military aid
for Malaysia to religious freedom as an expression of displeasure
with outgoing Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's recent criticism
of Jews.

The State Department said the Bush administration believed
that Mahathir had already been adequately rebuked for his remarks
and that his successor deserved a chance "to take a different
stance" before being punished financially.

"We have stated publicly our view on the offensive remarks
that Prime Minister Mahathir made," spokesman Richard Boucher
said, noting that the subject had been raised repeatedly during
Bush's trip to Asia last week.

Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell had both personally
protested the remarks, making unnecessary the move by the U.S.
Senate to link Malaysian military aid to religious freedom, he
said.

"We definitely share the concern that underlies the Senate
language," Boucher said. -- AFP