MALAYSIA: PRIME MINISTER MAHATHIR MOHAMAD BOSNIA CRITICISM

English/Nat

One of the Muslim world's most outspoken leaders has lashed out at the West for its inaction over the crisis in Bosnia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has described the western allies as hypocrites and poured scorn on the Rapid Reaction Force.

Speaking at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir launched one of the strongest attacks by any world leader on the West's handling of the Bosnian crisis.

SOUNDBITE:
"Well we are very to say the least disgusted with the way the Bosnian issue is being handled. We find that the United Nations and NATO were talking a lot about human rights and violations of human rights are quite prepared to see the Serbs mistreat, kill, rape the Bosnians and all they do is withdraw because they cannot fight against the Serbs. If they know they cannot fight against the Serbs then don't go ."
SUPER CAPTION: Doctor Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister

He was also angry that Malaysia was not allowed to give heavier weapons to its peacekeepers in Bosnia.

SOUNDBITE:
"And when we ask to supplement arms for our own troops so that if they are attacked by the Serbs they will not have to surrender to the Serbs and embarrass the U-N. We are told that we don't need any arms. We wanted to send additional troops, we are told that we cannot send any additional troops and yet when the European countries decide to send the so called Rapid Reaction Force which does not move rapidly at all and has no reaction whatsoever, they do so without asking for any body's permission, what do they expect us to do."
SUPER CAPTION: Doctor Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister.

Mahathir voiced his doubts that France is really serious about taking military action against the Bosnian Serbs.

SOUNDBITE:
"All of them are hypocrites and I am quite sure that although the French has threatened that they will take unilateral action in hand it will be the same thing, they will not take any unilateral action , after all what is there, a few Bosnians killed.
SUPER CAPTION: Doctor Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister

Malaysia along with several other Muslim countries would like to openly supply arms to the Bosnian Government.

But so far the arms embargo remains.


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