TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL FOR US-MALAYSIA TIES TO GROW

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- There is a tremendous potential for
United States-Malaysia relationships to grow, both politically and economically.

US Ambassador to Malaysia, James R. Keith, said relations between both
countries had been strong.

"It has been for some time that we have terrific areas of cooperation and
common interests.

"I think there is a tremendous potential for the relationship to grow. And
what we like to do is to try to realise some of that potential that we have," he
told Bernama.

Keith said both countries could grow their relationships in terms of more
exchanges, more cooperation between their law enforcement agencies, institutions
and trade.

He said both countries were doing it a bit more together, especially with
regard to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"I think as we look at the potentials for cultural and educational exchanges
we see potentials for growth there too.

"So across the board, with a great foundation that has been laid from all
those who have come before us, there is more that we can do, both politically
and economically," he said.

The soft-spoken envoy said what both countries could do was wide.

He said, as an example, about 40 Malaysian high school students were sent to
US every year.

"They spend about six months with American families, go to American schools
and then come back.

"It is a small step but it is a great way to make sure that Malaysians have
a good sense of what life in America is really all about," he said.

Keith said it was also a way to promote mutual understanding between the
peoples of two nations.

"We need to really step up opportunities not just to work together
internationally on bilateral basis but also on regional basis," he said.
-- BERNAMA