U.S. scales down presence at KL show

U.S. scales down presence at KL show

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): The United States has scaled down its participation in Malaysia's premier air and sea defense exhibition next month, following last week's terror attacks in New York and Washington, news reports said Thursday.

Although the U.S. has confirmed it will still take part in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA), some participants have pulled out, Defense Minister Najib Razak said.

Airline firm, Gulf Stream, has withdrawn as well as the renowned U.S. Air Force's aerobatics team, the Thunderbirds.

A destroyer, the USS Paul Jones, which was to have been among one of the exhibits, was also recalled by the U.S. government for duty, as Washington prepares for possible retaliatory strikes against those responsible for the attacks.

The U.S. has been among the biggest participants at the LIMA shows, which is the region's largest defense exhibition.