International
Mahathir not to attend summit
By Amit Baruah
SINGAPORE
Feb. 10.
The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has declined an invitation to attend the March 2-5 Commonwealth summit in Queensland, Australia. A spokesman for the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra said the Prime Minister gave no official reason for his decision.
Dr. Mahathir's decision, however, hardly comes as a surprise given his record as a consistent critic of Australia. Under Dr. Mahathir, Malaysia has taken the lead role in keeping Australia away from greater engagement with Asia. However, Australia's problems with Asia don't stop with Malaysia. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, was publicly snubbed by the leadership in Indonesia during his recent visit to Jakarta. Both Amien Rais and Akbar Tandjung, presiding officers of the two Houses of Parliament, declined to receive Mr. Howard. However, as a concession, Mr. Rais said he would attend a business lunch hosted for Mr. Howard.
Mr. Howard, who was in Jakarta on Wednesday repeatedly said that Canberra supports the territorial integrity of Indonesia.
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