Mahathir scorns Bush, Australia
AFP, Kuala Lumpur
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad poured scorn on US President George W. Bush's economic understanding and Australia's Asian desires in a typically abrasive return to a public platform yesterday. Addressing foreign ministers and businessmen at a conference on plans for an East Asia Community (EAC), Mahathir appeared to relish the freedom from diplomatic restraints, which he won with his retirement last year. While he never pulled his punches during his 22 years in power, Mahathir this time broke with convention to attack Bush personally by name. "When the planes crashed into the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, Bush immediately identified what he thought was the true cause.
|
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad (C), Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (L) and former Japanese prime minister Tsutomu Hata attend the East Asia Forum in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Mahathir poured scorn on US President George W. Bush's economic understanding and Australia's Asian desires in a typically abrasive return to a public platform. PHOTO: AFP |
