M'SIAN PM SCHEDULED TO VISIT IRAN ON DEC 21

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to make an official visit to Iran for three days from Dec 21.

Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said it is to strengthen
bilateral ties and explore joint venture opportunities between the corporate
sectors of the two countries.

"Sanctions imposed on the country by the United Nation's Security Council
coupled with the political developments in the United States makes it necessary
for Malaysia to see from near what businesses can be explored without causing
any misunderstandings.

"Matters relating to war implements or the nuclear industry obviously are
out but there are a lot of opportunities that can be explored in areas like
education, housing and other businesses which do not come under the sanctions,"
he told reporters at his office here Tuesday.

Rais said the Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar
and Kuwait but the dates had not been fixed yet.

Earlier, Rais had presented a cheque for USD100,000 to Yemen's Ambassador
to Malaysia Abdulla Mohamed Ali Al-Montser as aid for victims of floods in that
country.

Rais said the flood disaster which hit Yemen on Oct 23 caused 9 deaths and
left more than 7,000 people displaced besides losses estimated at USD1 billion.

"As two nations that have close diplomatic relations, we are sympathetic to
what happened and are doing our part to alleviate the suffering of those
affected by the flood disaster," he said.

-- BERNAMA