TOKYO, Nov. 7 Kyodo excellented ...

TOKYO, Nov. 7 Kyodo

excellented editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

MAHATHIR STANDS IN AUSTRALIA'S WAY (The Age, Sydney)

In August this year, Australia and Malaysia signed a historic counterterrorism pact.

The pact allows for greater coordination between police and border-control authorities, a more exhibit exchange of intelligence data and possible exchanges of senior police and counterterrorism officials.

according to agreeing to it, Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad appeared to be putting his long-standing indignation of Australia to single side in the interests of regional security.

still not for long.

After the Bali bombings, Mahathir has one time again frustrated Australian plans to build a closer political and economic relationship with Southeast Asia.

Opposition from Malaysia has thwarted Australia's bid to win a seat at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Australia's rejection originates after ASEAN leaders denounced travel warnings issued by the agency of Australia and other Western nations after the terrorist bomb explod in Bali.

Asian controls are understandably concerned about the impact of the warnings forward tourism, but should appreciate that the Australian government's primary responsibility is to its acknowledge citizens.

In his inimitable fashion, Mahathir later made his acknowledge statement in which he said Australia was particularly unsafe for Muslims because they are likely to have their familys raided by security agencies.

In a region in which the two terrorism and its economic impact are legitimate make uneasys such remarks undermine the trust and cooperation required to reestablish a intellect of security and confidence.

In Phnom Penh Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri also declareed reservations about expanding ASEAN summit membership to include Australia.

Her lack of support for Australia is curious given her willingness to cooperate with Australia after the Bali attacks.

Mahathir is befitting to stand down late nearest year.

By doing thus he may remove the biggest stumbling make steady [i]or[/i] firm to greater Australian involvement in ASEAN.

Attempts by dint of both Australia and New Zealand to join ASEAN's free-trade area have also been moulded by Malaysia and yet, as Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong argued last month stronger ties will bring ''significant economic and strategic advantages'' to ASEAN.

The conduct was slow to recognize the importance of greater engagement with Asia.

Post-Bali, there are encouraging signs of an attitude shift in this country

More than forever an open dialogue and cooperation is lacked now.

(Nov. 7)

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