US REGARDS MALAYSIA AS A MODEL NATION, SAYS DPM

Elmi Rizal Alias

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The United States regards Malaysia as a
model nation, Deputy Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said after his meeting with
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton here Friday.

He said that she told him that Malaysia should be emulated by other
developing nations because it was democratic, effectively governed and
economically sound.

"Hilary said that some developing nations have only one or two of these
characteristics while Malaysia have them all," he told Malaysian reporters after
launching the Malaysian Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Special Training
Programme here.

Because of what Malaysia had achieved, the US felt it important to support
the country in both its domestic and international initiatives, Muhyiddin said.

"Our role is much appreciated because it can help meet our aspirations and
theirs," he added.

Muhyiddin believed that his six-day working visit ending Saturday was
helping to forge closer links with the US.

"Although Malaysia is a small country, we can see that the message from the
Prime Minister (for closer relations) has reached the American administration
and this can help in the development of our country," he said.

At the meeting with Clinton, which was also attended by Malaysian Ambassador
Dr Jamaludin Jarjis, Muhyiddin also expressed Malaysia's hope for a
just settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He said that Clinton told him that that the Palestinians were seeking
Malaysia's assistance to revive and develop their economy.

Muhyiddin said that Malaysia was prepared to consider the matter, and
stressed the need for the US to take steps to help settle the
Israeli-Palestinian issue.

-- BERNAMA



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