After denouncing Palestinian attacks on civilians as acts of terror, his views are sought after by the media - and Mr Bush

By Brendan Pereira
MALAYSIA CORRESPONDENT

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is becoming the flavour of the day with the United States.

Even the American media, that previously gave him a few paragraphs or a passing mention in their numerous reports on the threat of militancy in the region, now want to hear what he has to say about terrorism.

He became newsworthy after he became the first leader of a Muslim country to describe Palestinian suicide bombers who kill civilians as terrorists.

A few hours after he offered Malaysia's definition of terrorism at an international conference on Monday, several influential US newspapers, including the New York Times, sent out feelers to request exclusive interviews and flesh out his views on terrorism.

Speaking at the opening of the Special Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers here, Dr Mahathir said that acts of terror must include the attack on the World Trade Center in New York in September, suicide bomb attacks by Palestinians and the Tamil Tigers, attacks on civilians by Israeli security forces and the killing of Bosnian Muslims.

Everyone supporting terrorists must be considered terrorists, and states which sponsor terror acts must also be condemned, he added.

'Muslims everywhere must condemn terrorism, once it is clearly defined.

'Bitter and angry though we may be, we must demonstrate to the world that Muslims are rational people when fighting for our rights and we do not resort to acts of terror,' he said.

The Malaysian leader called for an agreement among nations that any attack on civilians be regarded as an act of terrorism.

His call was not embraced wholly by other member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, but it will bolster his image in the US where he is seen as a Muslim leader with moderate views.

The Straits Times understands that US President George W. Bush has invited Dr Mahathir to visit the White House in the second week of May. He is expected to roll out the red carpet for the Malaysian leader, giving a full ceremonial welcome.

For more than two years, the Malaysian Prime Minister was snubbed by Washington for his treatment of Anwar Ibrahim, his former deputy who was jailed for corruption and sodomy.

But by cooperating with the US in the war against terrorism, his stock has risen with the Bush administration.

Dr Mahathir and Mr Bush met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Shanghai in October.

Sources say that though several meetings have been proposed between the two leaders since then, the Malaysian Premier has been adamant that talks be conducted without any conditions or restrictions.

It is on these terms that he is likely to accept the invitation to the White House.

In Kuala Lumpur, there is a growing sense of pride within political circles and the business community that Dr Mahathir is being courted by the world's superpower.