BLACK MARK (March 21): Acting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi condemned the US-led attack on Iraq, saying that Malaysia believes there is neither sufficient evidence nor justifiable cause for invading Iraq. He called the attack “a black mark in history” with “the world now seeing might is right.” Urging Malaysians to be rational in facing the Iraqi crisis, he said this was vital to ensure that the peoples’ livelihoods would not be threatened as economic activities and daily lives must continue uninterrupted.
IRAQIS STAY (March 21): Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia could see no reason to break off ties with Baghdad, as there was no evidence that they had compromised the country's security, and so will not expel Iraqi diplomats. The US had requested that Iraqi diplomats in 62 countries be expelled because they represented a corrupt and ruthless regime, and said replacements would soon be appointed by a new, legitimate Iraqi government. France, Russia, Germany, Finland and Netherlands also rejected the US request.
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