Mahathir warns US attack on Iraq can spark more terror

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TOKYO Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned Japan Thursday that a US attack on Iraq would anger Muslims, possibly raising the risk of terrorism, a Japanese official said.

Mahathir made the remarks when he met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the first day of his five-day visit aimed at promoting a free trade agreement with Japan.

"If the attack is launched, it will cause Muslims to feel indignation. It is feared to raise the possibility of terrorism," a Japanese briefer quoted Mahathir as telling Koizumi.

Koizumi responded that "cooperation among the international community" was most important in determining the rights and wrongs of such an attack as well as the reconstruction of Iraq after any war, the official said.

Counter-productive

Earlier in the day, Mahathir said at a seminar that a US plan to attack Iraq over what he termed the sake of oil supply was counterproductive and would lead the world into a bleak future.

"Frankly, I think it (the war against Iraq) is counter-productive, you may get oil but you will earn the hatred of 1.3 billion Muslims forever and that is going to be very counter-productive," he said in a question-and-answer session at the seminar.

"I do hope that the war against Iraq does not take place, but if it does then you can be assured of a very bleak future for the world order," he said. AFP



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