AMERICAN PEACE CORPS ON AGENDA OF M'SIAN DPM-CLINTON TALKS

From Elmi Rizal Alias

BOSTON, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The American Peace Corps will be a topic of
discussion between Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and
United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington on Friday.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak had proposed that the Peace Corps
programme, popular in the 1960s, be reintroduced when he and other Asean leaders
met US President Barack Obama during the United Nations General Assembly in New
York last September.

Muhyiddin, who is on a visit to the United States, said he would obtain
input on when the programme could be reintroduced, particularly to help the
Asean community enhance their fluency in the English Language.

"The response to the programme so far is good and this is a good opportunity
for us to follow up on when the programme can be reintroduced," he told
Malaysian journalists here Tuesday.

Muhyiddin, who is accompanied by his wife Norainee Abdul Rahman, is on a
six-day visit to Boston and Washington.

The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical
assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture,
and helping Americans understand the cultures of other countries.

Muhyiddin said that at his meeting with Clinton, he would also touch on many
other matters including enhancing Malaysia-US ties and cooperation in various
fields, one of which was stepping up bilateral trade and investment.

He also said that their talks would cover cooperation in international
relations, including obtaining the latest information on the problems in
Palestine and steps taken by the United States in Afghanistan.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said he would also discuss
cooperation in education and defence.

"I hope many matters which benefit both countries can be discussed and help
foster closer relations between Malaysia and the United States," he said.

In November last year, Clinton made a three-day visit to Malaysia and held
fruitful talks with Muhyiddin and Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

Muhyiddin is also scheduled to have discussions with US Secretary of
Education Arne Duncan in Washington on Friday.

The deputy prime minister is expected to return to Malaysia via London on
Saturday.
-- BERNAMA


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