STRENGTHENING TIES WITH OBAMA-NAJIB MEETING IN S'PORE

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Bilateral relations between the United
States and Malaysia will receive a booster shot when President Barrack Obama
meets Prime Minister Najib Razak in Singapore next week.

US Department of State Special Advisor For Non-proliferation and Arms
Control Robert J. Einhorn said:

"We have not always had the best relationship. But with the new
administration here in KL and in Washington, I think the prospects for it may
strengthen the relationship.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and President Barrack Obama will
meet in Singapore next week. They had a very good phone conversation back in
June, and there have been a succession of visitors to KL," he told Bernama in an
interview.

Einhorn said most recently, US Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg
visited here and the trend would continue.

"So, the prospect for a much stronger, bilateral relationship," he said.

Einhorn was leading a multi-agency delegation on a two-day visit to Malaysia
to consult with senior Malaysian officials on non-proliferation and disarmament
issues, beginning Nov 3.

Singapore will host the 17th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic
Leaders' Meeting on Nov 14 and 15.

Earlier, Einhorn said the US viewed Malaysia as a "very important partner"
in strengthening the non-proliferation regime.

He said, the US hoped Malaysia would act as a mediator to convey the message
that the Obama administration was serious about engagement and that "we want to
find common ground with Iran".
-- BERNAMA