MALAYSIA MAKES IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO AFGHANISTAN, SAYS US AMBASSADOR

By R. Ravichandran

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The United States new ambassador to Malaysia
Paul W. Jones Tuesday described Malaysia's contribution in deploying a medical
team to Afghanistan as a very important contribution in assisting the
strife-ridden country.

Jones hoped that other countries would follow Malaysia's effort in helping
Afghanistan, adding that while the US was making a huge commitment, Washington
believed that other countries could assist US efforts there.

Jones, who had served as deputy secretary of state for Afghanistan and Pakistan
prior to his posting here, said it would take the support of many countries to
help Afghanistan stabilise and prosper.

"I think when you look at the context of what Malaysia has done, it is a very
important contribution...sending a military medical mission, because it (Bamyan
province) is not a very safe area...(and sending) a significant number of female
doctors which is what Afghanistan needs. That's what I heard from travelling
around, that they really need medical support.

"So, I think Malaysia is sort of paving the way (for others)...I hope other
countries will follow Malaysia's step in assisting Afghanistan," he told Bernama
in an interview here when asked about Malaysia's participation in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Jones called on Bernama general manager Hasnul Hassan at the latter's
office in Wisma Bernama. Also present was the Malaysian National News Agency's
editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong.

Jones, 50, presented his credentials to the Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin at Istana Negara (National Palace) on Monday.

In July this year, a 10-member Malaysian Armed Forces contingent was deployed to
Afghanistan to serve with the International Security Assistance Force (Malcon
ISAF) to help rebuild the health infrastructure and provide medical aid in the
Bamyan province.

Tuesday night, another 30-member contingent, including seven women (two doctors
and five paramedics) will be leaving for Afghanistan to serve with Malcon ISAF.

US President Barack Obama had sought Malaysia's help in the reconstruction of
Afghanistan and Prime Minister Najib Razak then gave an undertaking to help in
the medical and development programme in that country but not in combative
operations.

To a question on Malaysia's commitment to fighting human trafficking, Jones said
Kuala Lumpur had taken some very significant steps, both on the enforcement
side, charging and prosecuting individuals involved or those facilitating
trafficking, and the protection side.

"It is so important that we treat victims of trafficking as victims that they
are and offer them counselling and the opportunity to testify against those who
put them in that situation.

"I think Malaysia has taken this issue very seriously. We are encouraged by the
progress (made by Malaysia on this issue)...and this is something we will
continue to meet and work on together," he said.

In June this year, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told the Lower House of
Parliament that Malaysia had risen to Tier 2 of the Trafficking in Persons
Report (TIP) 2010 released by the US, saying this was in recognition of the
Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2007, creation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Council
and the government's action to address the issue.

Malaysia dropped from Tier 2 to Tier 3 in the TIP Report 2009 issued on June 16
last year. The TIP Report ranks countries based on their level of compliance on
established minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.

Tier 1 countries are for governments that fully comply with minimum
standards of the Trafficking Victims' Protection Act (TVPA), Tier 2 countries for
governments that do not fully comply with the minimum standards but are making
significant efforts to comply, while Tier 3 countries are for governments that do
not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts
to do so.

On Malaysia's commitment to fighting terrorism, Jones said Malaysia had long
been a very strong partner of Washington and many other countries in fighting
the global problem.

"Malaysia, I think, is known throughout the world...is a place where terrorists
will be dealt with severely. For the security of our people wherever they are,
it is critical that we continue to do that," said Jones.
-- BERNAMA