Malaysia Cites Legal Concerns Over US Anti-Terror Pact

TERROR WARS

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) calls for the interdiction of vessels and airliners suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction or related materials and allows for on-board searchs.

by Staff Writers
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) April 17, 2007
Malaysia on Tuesday said legal concerns were holding it back from joining a US-led global anti-terror initiative aimed at preventing trafficking in weapons of mass destruction. US President George W. Bush established the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in May 2003 as part of his administration's response to the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

But Malaysia has baulked at joining the initiative for legal reasons, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told a maritime security conference organised by the US Pacific Command.

"We are still studying it. There are some items in the Proliferation Security Initiative which the legal side are not so comfortable with," said Najib, without giving details.

The PSI calls for the interdiction of vessels and airliners suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction or related materials and allows for on-board searchs.

The aim of the PSI, which has more than 70 member or observer nations according to Najib, is to stop militants and rogue states getting hold of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

"Malaysia is certainly concerned over proliferation of weapons of mass destructions and its components and supports the ideals of PSI," Najib said.

"Malaysia, however, has some reservations with regards to certain aspects of the initiative which we feel do not conform to accepted international norms," he added.

Najib, also the defence minister, said Malaysia had been participating as an observer in PSI exercises for the past two years, and described defence ties with the US as "good."

Source: Agence France-Presse

Email This Article

TERROR WARS

Adding Intelligence To Defense

Washington (UPI) April 16, 2007
New U.S. intelligence chief Michael McConnell last week unveiled his plan for the next steps in the continuing reform of the spy agencies he oversees, acknowledging that a key determinant of success will be his relationship with the Pentagon, which houses many of them.

SUPERPOWERS Russia Downbeat Ahead Of NATO Talks Royal Navy's Shame Chinese PM Seeks New Trust With Japan US Backs NATO Enlargement	NUKEWARS North Korea May Be Preparing To Shut Reactor Blair Laments Lack Of Dialogue With Iran A Win-Win Strategy For Iran Iran President Working Continuously To Expand Nuclear Program
MISSILE NEWS India Dismisses Airline Complaints Over Missile Test Thailand Embark On Local Missile Program Lockheed Martin Demonstrates P44 Missile Performance And Agility Raytheon Awarded Contract To Produce Missile Launchers For US Navy	MISSILE DEFENSE Oslo Clash On ABM Czech MPs Visit US Radar Base Earmarked For Missile Shield Russia Targets Counteroffensive Against ABM Raytheon Receives Contracts For Patriot Missile Facility Support
AEROSPACE Nondestructive Testing Keeps Bagram Aircraft Flying New FAA Oceanic Air Traffic System Designed By Lockheed Martin Fully Operational NASA Seeks New Research Proposals Germans Urged To Give Foreign Travel A Rest To Curb Global Warming	UAV NEWS Global Hawk Lands An Industry First For A Goodrich Production Electric Braking System Bental Industries Announces The European Launch Of Its Unique Hybrid System Next-Generation Global Hawk Makes Maiden Flight New Global Hawk Fuselage Exceeds US Air Force Strength And Safety Requirements
IRAQ WARS Bush Seeks Cover On Iraq Iraq Terror Still Surging To New Levels Of Horror No Solid Stats On Iraq Security Wasting Money In Iraq	MILTECH Osprey Aircraft To Take Off In Iraq New Mission Control Room Ready For F-35 Flight Tests Boeing Tests First SBInet Mobile Sensor Tower Northrop Grumman Wins Deal For Ground-Air Task Oriented Radar

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement