MALAYSIA LIMITS ITS ROLES IN HELPING OTHERS - RAIS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to help other
countries affected by conflicts but limit its roles as a member of the United
Nations (UN), Non-Alligned Movement (NAM) and Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC), the Lower House of Parliament was told Thursday.

Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said that as a member of those
bodies, Malaysia could not act beyond the limits imposed by international norms
and rules.

"For example under the UN Charter, other countries shall not intervene under
whatever circumstances and situations in the internal affairs of a country," he
said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks to the King for His
Majesty's address when opening the House's sitting.

He said that despite the limitations, Malaysia had constantly contributed
its good deeds and was always in the forefront.

"We will continue to find ways how these roles will continue to be felt by
the international community," he said.

On the Palestinian conflict, Rais said Malaysia should not intervene in the
dispute between Hamas and Fatah in view of it being the country's internal
political crisis.

"Suffice for us to call upon the relevant parties to set aside political
differences and close ranks to form the government of Palestine," he said.

He said that looking at Malaysia's efforts in the international diplomatic
arena, Malaysia's policy since the very beginning was to find a globally
accepted definition of violence or terrorism, namely excepting groups fighting
for freedom from occupation by foreign powers.

Meantime, he said, Malaysia would constantly enhance humanitarian relief and
efforts by forging cooperation with non-governmental organisations which had
sent their medical teams to Palestine.

On the southern Thai and Philippine issues, Rais said any intervention or
roles that Malaysia wishes to play should obtain consent from those countries
beforehand.

On the Southern Thailand, he said, Malaysia was focusing on efforts through
the confidence-building programme known as the 3E initiatives, namely education,
entrepreneurship and employment while in Southern Philippines, Malaysia served
as a facilitator to the peace talks between the Philippine government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

To show Malaysia's concern, he said, Malaysia had always raised issues of
the troubled southern regions with the top leaderships of those countries during
bilateral meetings besides offering aid which they deemed fit and proper.

"Malaysia will continue to use the exisiting diplomatic channels to bring
peace to the southern Thai and Philippine regions without undermining the good
ties with the two goverments," he said.

-- BERNAMA