US SEES M'SIA AS IMPORTANT PARTNER IN STRENGTHENING NON-PROLIFERATION REGIME

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The United States sees Malaysia as a very important partner in the effort to strengthen the non-proliferation regime, said its Department of State Special Advisor For Non-proliferation and Arms Control, Robert J.Einhorn.

"This is important because if the current worrisome trend continues, we are
going to find ourselves with many nuclear powers in the world, he told Bernama
in an interview here Wednesday.

Therefore, he said, the likelihood of terrorists getting their hands on
nuclear weapon would be much greater.

Einhorn is leading a multi-agency delegation on a two-day visit to Malaysia
to consult with senior Malaysian officials on non-proliferation and disarmament
issues.

When asked on the role that Malaysia could play, he said: "Let's take the
question of Iran, the Obama administration believes very much in engagement."

He said the US had serious differences with the Iranian government but
believed that these differences could most effectively be dealt with through
diplomacy.

"We are engaging Iran in that context but we also understand that countries
around the world have good relationships with Iran.

"Malaysia has good a relationship with Iran, The Iranian Prime Minister was
here in Malaysia a few days ago. The US would like Malaysia to use its good
offices and relationship with Iran to convey the message that the Obama
administration is serious about engagement and that "we want to find common
ground with Iran"."

He said this was especially important because Malaysia was very influential
in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Asean and the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM).
-- BERNAMA