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