ID :
62706
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 12:10
Auther :

MALAYSIA WANTS HONEST BROKERS TO END MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

HANOI, May 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia feels that the Middle East conflict
remains unresolved largely because of the lack of honest brokers committed to
enforcing and applying equally on all sides the relevant resolutions of the
United Nations.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said this being the single most
important factor fuelling Muslim anger towards Israel and the West, it was
imperative that Israel abide by all UN resolutions and withdraw to its pre-1967
borders.

"Malaysia believes that the Palestine-Israel conflict remains the core issue
which needs to be resolved to ensure stability in the Middle East," he said on
the sidelines of the Ninth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Foreign Ministers which
ended here Tuesday.

Anifah said he told ASEM's 45 member countries, that also include three
UN Security Council permanent members - China, France and Britain - that
a negotiated outcome was the only way to ensure long-term peace, security and
stability in the region.

"We call for a final, just and comprehensive settlement with the realisation
of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure and
recognised borders...no one likes to be displaced from one own's home and land,"
he said.


During the meeting, Anifah said the ministers also spoke about the global
economic crisis, Influenza A(H1N1), energy security and maritime security, as
well as the latest development in Myanmar and Monday's nuclear test by North
Korea.

In the chairman's statement issued at the end of the meeting, the foreign
ministers said they discussed the recent development concerning democracy
icon Aung San Suu Kyi and called on Myanmar to release all those under
detention and to lift restrictions placed on political parties.

The ministers said they welcomed the talks between the European Union Troika
and Myanmar at the ministerial level as a further step to mutual understanding.

On the global economic crisis, the ministers said they rejected
protectionism and want to enhance market access for the exports of developing
countries, warning that protectionist measures might provoke retaliatory
actions, further harming the world economy and delaying its recovery.

The ministers also raised concern over climate change and emphasised the
importance of flexible mechanisms such as carbon market.

Anifah will attend the EU-Asean Meeting in Phnom Penh Wednesday which among
others, will discuss ways to fight terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling
and weapon proliferation.

-- BERNAMA


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