OBAMA WILLING TO CONSIDER M'SIA'S REQUEST TO RETURN GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- United States President Barack Obama
has stated his willingness to consider a request by Prime Minister Najib Tun
Razak to hand over two Malaysians held at Guantanamo Bay to Malaysia.

The issue of the two detainees and several others touching on the economy,
Free Trade Agreement, Iran and North Korea were among the matters discussed when
Obama spoke to Najib over the telephone Friday night.

The 20-minute telephone conversation which began 9.10pm was the first direct
contact between the two leaders since they took over the leadership of their
respective countries.

Speaking to Bernama after receiving the call, Najib said he had conveyed
Malaysia's willingness to accept the two detainees and that their detention
could continue in Malaysia.

He said Obama welcomed the request and told him that he would relay
Malaysia's request to the security agencies involved.

"I told him we would detain them in Malaysia but would treat them according
to international norms and in a humanitarian manner," he said.


The two, Mohd Mohd Farik Amin or Zaid (Zubair) and Mohammed Nazir Lep or Bashir
Lep (Lillie), held at Guantanamo Bay for alleged involvement in the militant
group Jemaah Islamiah and Al-Qaeda since 2003, are among 250 detainees at the US
facility.

Many quarters have urged the Obama administration to shut the military
prison down following violation of the detainees' rights while there have also
been accusations of torture, which has received worldwide condemnation.

Najib also said Obama and he exchanged views on the current world economic
situation and that the president enquired about the economic situation in
Malaysia, which saw a contraction in the first quarter of this year.

He said he explained to the American leader that Malaysia was also facing
problems because of the economic crisis gripping the world now.

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister said, he expressed optimism that Malaysia's
economy would see signs of recovery by the fourth quarter of this year.

As regard to the issue of the Free Trade Agreement between Malaysia and the
United States, Najib said he told Obama the negotiations should continue and
that now might not be the best time for it to be finalised.

Najib said Obama also praised the Malaysian government for its success in
making Malaysia an Islamic country that was modern and progressive.

The Prime Minister said Obama also praised the Malaysia's government for its
success in being able to ensure the country's multiracial society lived in peace
and harmony.

Najib said Obama also expressed his wish to visit Malaysia at a suitable
time in future and added that he hoped to meet him either in Washington or here.

During the conversation, Najib said Obama also congratulated him on his
appointment as Malaysia's sixth prime minister.

"He (Obama) said he looked forward to good working ties with me and greater
cooperation between Malaysia and the United States," said Najib.

-- BERNAMA