Malaysia denounces economic sanctions on Iraq

Malaysia on Wednesday denounced the economic sanctions imposed by the UN on Iraq and informed the Iraqi deputy prime minister, currently visiting Malaysia, that it is very keen to strengthen its trade relations with Baghdad.

Following his meeting in Kuala Lumpur with Aziz, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi said that Iraq has not to be obliged to UN weapons inspections because this threatens its sovereignty.

He stated that Malaysia, which occupies a seat on the UN Security Council, will exert all its efforts in order to lift the sanctions from Iraq.

Badawi, on the other hand, said that Malaysia and Iraq will hold a meeting on a high-ranking level in Baghdad later this year in order to discuss bilateral diplomatic and economic relations and that Kuala Lumpur will take part in the trade exposition which will be held in the Iraqi capital Baghdad at the end of the year 2000.

Aziz arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday in a visit to Malaysia which will last for four days.