CLINTON WISHES NAJIB SPEEDY RECOVERY

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who
is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, wished Prime Minister Najib Razak
a speedy recovery from his illness to be back to work soonest possible.

Clinton, who was supposed to meet Najib during the visit, said she was engaged
in a telephone conversation with him earlier Tuesday.

"I wished the prime minister a speedy recovery. I am sorry if we are not able to
meet in person but I did have a phone call with him earlier Tuesday, and hope
that he is back in full swing soon," she told reporters at a joint press
conference with Foreign Minister Anifah Aman here.

On Saturday, Najib was advised to rest at home and avoid all public and official
functions, following medication as a result of early signs of chicken pox.

The prime minister began to feel unwell and subsequently developed rashes,
muscle aches and joint pains on the last day of the Asean Summit and related
summits in Hanoi.

Speaking to Bernama later, Najib's media director Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku
Ahmad said the telephone call was about 10.30 this morning and lasted about 15
minutes.

He said other than checking on Najib's condition, the conversation also revolved
around some issues on bilateral relations.

Najib also apologised for not being able to meet Clinton on her first visit to
the country, he said.

Meanwhile, Clinton said she was excited to be in Malaysia since both countries
had a lot in common, including culture diversity.

"I told someone earlier that this first short visit is an appetiser, so I intend
to return in the future for the full banquet to spend more time getting to hear
first-hand from the people of Malaysia and working to strengthen the friendship
between our two countries," she said.
-- BERNAMA



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