NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The United Nations has approved
the deployment of 360 Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon, Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi disclosed Wednesday.
The Prime Minister told Malaysian journalists here that the matter
was conveyed to him during talks with UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan Tuesday.
Malaysia, the chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC), had earlier planned to send 1,000 soldiers to
join the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
"They can be deployed any time. And the Ministry of Defence has
been informed about the UN decision," he told a press conference on
the sidelines of his working visit to New York where he will
deliver a speech at the 61st session of the UN General
Assembly.
Abdullah said the UN secretariat would inform Kuala Lumpur if there
was a need for additional Malaysian troops.
"We have stated since the beginning that we are ready to send 1,000
peacekeepers under the UN banner. So, we'll have to wait. If there
is a request for more troops, then we will deploy them," he
said.
Israel had earlier resisted the intention of countries which have
not recognised it to send peacekeepers to Lebanon to oversee a
UN-brokered ceasefire following a 34-day conflict between the
Israeli regime and Hizbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
Originally, UNIFIL was created by the UN Security Council in 1978
to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international
peace and security and assist the Lebanese government in restoring
effective authority in the area.
Following the July/August 2006 conflict, the Council decided that
in addition to the original mandate, UNIFIL would, among other
things, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support
the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of
Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian
access to the civilian population and the voluntary and safe return
of displaced persons.
Abdullah thanked the UN especially Annan for accepting Malaysia's
request to send troops to Lebanon where more than 1,000 people died
in the Israel-Hizbollah hostilities.
"And they too appreciate our contribution. Annan expressed
gratitude to Malaysia as we have never turned down UN's requests
for help to deploy our soldiers to any location in the world. That
was what he said and I welcome that statement," he said.
Abdullah also met a group of American community leaders and
non-governmental organisations to discuss with them issues
surrounding the gap between Islam and the Western world.
The prime minister highlighted steps taken by Malaysia to forge
understanding between people of different races and religions
against the backdrop of tensions among societies in many other
countries.
"They said Malaysia's experience was good to study and adopt to
suit the needs of countries wishing to resolve problems related to
race and religion," he said.
Abdullah also met former United States President Bill Clinton where
discussions focused on similar themes.
On his meeting with the Asean-US Business Council, he said those
present expressed commitment to Malaysia knowing that the country
had announced a slew of plans to bring the economy and development
to greater heights.
"They also appreciate the government's decision to lower corporate
tax," he said, alluding to the Budget 2007's proposal to reduce
corporate tax from the current 28 per cent to 27 per cent in 2007
and 26 per cent in 2008.
Abdullah, who is Finance Minister, also told those present that
negotiations over the proposed Malaysia-US free trade agreement
were still on-going.
Asked about his impression of the speech delivered by US President
George W. Bush at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, he said Bush
reiterated the American position on global issues such as the
Middle East and Darfur.
"It's true that he wants things resolved but further efforts must
be undertaken to realise that goal," he added.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.pmo.gov.my/website/webdb.nsf/vALLDOC/55159D08B011BA4A482571EF0033C22E
They get paid for sending troops on UN missions right?
