NAM STILL RELEVANT IN ECONOMIC CRISIS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Non-Alligned Movement (NAM) is still
relevant as many of its member countries share common problems and challenges,
especially in light of the global economic crisis.

Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Carlos Amores said the 118 nation-member
organisation should not allow small groups of countries to decide the world
economic policies as the issue affected all.

"Small groups cannot find any suitable solution if they don't take into
account the interest and problems of the whole world because it's a global
crisis. NAM should address the issue together.

"It is very important we have a common position on this issue, to be able to
discuss them in the multi-lateral fora.

"If you look to the Council on Human Rights, NAM showed its efficacy as the
US wanted the Security Council for Human Rights where only they had a say,
and no one else.

"It ended with a different body that has more representatives from the
international community and in the end, the US didn't even become a member of
the council," Amores told Bernama at the Cuban Embassy Wednesday.

Havana will host the NAM Ministerial Meeting from April 27 to 30, as a
precedent to the 15th NAM Summit to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from
July 11 to 16, this year.

Amores hoped Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman would attend the
meeting as Malaysia was a key player and previous NAM chairman, prior to Cuba.

Cuba will hand over its NAM chairmanship to Egypt during the Summit.

The first official NAM Summit was held in September 1961 in Belgrade, with
25 participating countries committed to world peace and development, economic
cooperation and democratisation of international relations.
-- BERNAMA