Malaysia open to peace-keeping role

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, NOV. 20. Malaysia has said it will consider a proposal to send peace-keeping troops to Afghanistan if asked by the United Nations.

Malaysia is the second South-East Asian nation after Indonesia which may possibly sent troops to join a peace-keeping mission in Afghanistan. The Malaysian Defence Minister, Mr. Najib Razak, told the U.S. Pacific Commander, Admiral Dennis Blair, that Kuala Lumpur's participation depended on approval by the country's Cabinet. ``Sure Malaysia will play a positive role if the U.N. makes such a decision,'' Mr. Najib was quoted as saying in Kuala Lumpur today.

In the Malaysian Defence Minister's assessment, the situation in Afghanistan remained fluid and could well endanger the lives of any United Nations peace-keepers that were sent. ``We will not send peace-keepers if their safety is at risk. That is one of the paramount principles U.N. has adhered to,'' he maintained.

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Section  : International
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