MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES INVOLVEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN AN HONOUR, SAYS AHMAD ZAHID

MELAKA (Malaysia), July 15 (Bernama) -- The role of the Malaysian Armed
Forces (ATM) in treating the sick in Afghanistan reflects the international
community's recognition of Malaysia's capabilities.

Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Afghanistan
Government had requested Malaysian's assistance to send the ATM medical team to
their country.

"We sent the medical team to reflect our concern over the health problems
facing the Afghanistan people," he told reporters here Wednesday.

He said this when asked to comment on the deployment of a 40-man ATM
contingent to help rebuild the health infrastructure and provide medical aid in
the Bamyan province of Afghanistan.

The contingent, which includes 10 officers, left for Afghanistan Thursday.


-- BERNAMA