Wiilo Posted August 6, 2006 Malaysia rejects dialogue with Israel on Middle East: KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has rejected a call from Israel for dialogue aimed at reaching a resolution to the Middle East crisis, a report said Saturday. "Our refusal to enter into dialogue (with Israel) has nothing to do with race or religion," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying by the Malay language Utusan Malaysia newspaper. "If they continue to trample international law, how can we sit and hold a dialogue with them," he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on a visit to Sarawak state on Borneo island Saturday confirmed that Malaysia would not hold any talks with Israel. "Malaysia does not have any relations or diplomatic ties with Israel. So, the question of having a dialogue with Tel Aviv does not arise at all," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency. Predominantly Muslim Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state but has close links with Palestinians, backing their struggle for an independent state. On Friday, Israel's ambassador to neighboring Singapore Ilan Ben-Dov called for a constructive dialogue with Malaysia and Indonesia on problems in the Middle East. His call came a day after Malaysia hosted an emergency gathering of Muslim leaders from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) who condemned Israeli aggression in Lebanon. Abdullah is the OIC chairman. Key members of the 57-nation bloc, including Iran, Turkey and Pakistan condemned "relentless Israeli aggression" and called for an immediate ceasefire. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, also does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. A series of anti-Israel demonstrations have taken place in both countries following the most recent eruption of Middle East violence. Syed Hamid said he did not see the need for dialogue with Israel. "They receive total protection from a world superpower. They do not need countries like us," he was quoted in the newspaper as saying. http://www.malaysiatimes.com/ Dadnimo iga dheh, aaway kuwii ku daysanlahaa? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
