The United States today extended its thanks to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his support and sympathy to the US after Sept 11 attacks despite "the difficulties and tensions" faced by the government.

US Trade Representative Robert B Zoellick said President George W Bush was pleased with the support given by Malaysia.

"We respect Malaysia for all the internal challenges and tensions it has to deal with, which makes its support more meaningful," Zoellick told a special press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He also denied that Mahathir's objection to the US air strike on Afghanistan could jeopardise the countries' bilateral trade.

"Our trade ties are based on close economic relationship. The support we received in many areas will only strengthen the nature of our relationship," he said.

"I don't see any negative variety [of views] in there. The difference of views is understandable," he added.

He stressed repeatedly that the US is Malaysia's largest export market and foreign investor, with an interest in their trade amounting to US$38 billion (RM144 billion) a year.

Zoellick said the US views Malaysia as an Islamic country which could serve the others as a role model for leadership and economic development.

Mahathir had condemned the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington DC last month which saw the loss of at least 6,600 lives and the collapse of the World Trade Center. However, he also said a retaliation on Afghanistan would not solve the root of the problem.

Earlier today, Zoellick met with Mahathir in Putrajaya and talked about various issues relating to the international effort to combat terrorism. He also had a meeting with Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar and International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz.

'Grateful for letter'

Zoellick is a member of Bush's cabinet with the rank of ambassador and serves as the president's principal trade policy adviser and chief trade negotiator.

He said President Bush was "grateful" to have received a letter from Mahathir on ways to deal with terrorism and is looking forward to meeting the premier at the Asia Pacific Economic Conference in Shanghai, China which begins on Oct 17.

He said the US will work closely with Malaysia to stop innocent people from being sacrificed in a much-feared biological warfare following the air strikes in Afghanistan last week.

On Sunday, it was reported that a letter sent to the Microsoft office in Nevada from Malaysia was tested positive for anthrax, a potentially fatal infectious disease which is commonly found in farm animals. Mahathir has pledged full support to US authorities on the case and had asked for more details from the US enforcement agencies.

Economic sanctions

On the lifting of economic sanctions by the US on Pakistan and India recently - after both countries agreed to open their air space and provide logistic assistance for the US to attack Afghanistan - the ambassador denied that it was hypocritical of the US to do so.

He said the negotiation process to lift economic sanctions on India was an effort under the Bush administration which "goes way back before the Sept 11 attacks".

As for Pakistan, Zoellick said there was a common call to deal with the "hopelessness and despair" which could fuel groups who caused internal tensions.

"We have to acknowledge that if we want to deal with the issue of terrorism in the long term, we will have to deal with the economic performance of other countries," he said.

'Part of the murder'

Asked if the US foresees a situation which is beyond control should it continue with the air strikes in Afghanistan, Zoellick said, "War is a dangerous thing. It is hard for me, having seen the destruction in the terrorist attacks, to say that things are not already out of control."

He said Bush made it clear that the US has identified the perpetrators and their network and had warned the government that harbours those responsible for the attacks to hand them over.

"But they said no. They are part of the murder and they would have to pay for a price as we try to stop the terrorists," he said.