Malaysia shows
extent of defence ties with US
Defence Minister Najib lifts the veil on just how closely the two countries have been cooperating in the military arena
By Brendan
Pereira
MALAYSIA CORRESPONDENT
KUALA LUMPUR - If there was any lingering doubt that Malaysia was positioning itself as a key ally of the United States and a possible model of a moderate Islamic country for the rest of the world, it was laid firmly to rest in Washington on Wednesday.
Visiting Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak lifted the veil of secrecy that has enveloped defence ties between Malaysia and the US, revealing some surprising statistics and nuggets of information:
More than 75 US military ships have called at ports here over the past two years.
The minister also reminded his audience that when Malaysians fought alongside US Rangers in Somalia in 1993, one Malaysian soldier made the ultimate sacrifice.
Over the years, the Mahathir administration has played down the extent of military cooperation between the two countries.
The reason: it did not want to invite criticism from conservative sections of the Muslim community who object to the presence of foreign troops on Malaysian soil.
But following the terror attacks of Sept 11 and the onset of a phase in history where the allies and enemies of the US are being clearly defined, the government in Kuala Lumpur has come forward to mark out its special ties with the superpower.
Datuk Seri Najib told a luncheon gathering that Malaysia has been a steady, reliable friend of the US with trade and investment on a sizeable scale and security arrangements across various fronts.
'In times like these - in a time of war - it is these values that bind nations together,' he said at a talk organised by the Heritage Foundation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
And in this time of war, Malaysia has provided an excellent response, he noted. It has given US security agencies access to intelligence.
Malaysian forces have also been protecting US ships in the Straits of Malacca since Sept 11.
The Defence Minister is in the US for talks with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and to clear last-minute bilateral issues ahead of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's trip to Washington on May 13.
The Malaysian leader is expected to raise concerns over the Middle East crisis and offer ideas on tackling terror.
He was portrayed on Wednesday as a leader the Americans should cultivate.
'Dr Mahathir, as the longest-serving leader of the region and being increasingly regarded as a world statesman and a Muslim leader, is a credible voice of reason, moderation, pragmatism and progress,' said Datuk Seri Najib.
All these qualities make him a key world figure in the fight against terrorism, said the minister.
There is little doubt that Dr Mahathir will be given five-star treatment in Washington. An indication of a warm welcome was given last month by US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly.
He declared that Malaysia was a beacon of stability in the region and said it was important for both countries to cooperate further in the fight against terrorism and to improve ties.
