(4 Jun 1998) Japanese/English
Malaysia's Prime Minister has lashed out at the International Monetary Fund (I-M-F) and Western capitalists for being insensitive to the people of Asia.
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad blamed the I-M-F, which is bailing out weakened Asian economies, for exploiting the east and using Asia's problems to enrich itself.
He is attending an international conference in Tokyo with other east Asian leaders and ministers to discuss the future of Asia.
Malaysia's Prime Minister hits out at again at one of his favourite targets -- governments and other organisations of the West.
His charge -- that they are trying to exploit Asian economies to enrich themselves.
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is in Tokyo with other top east Asian officials to discuss the future of the region.
He accused the International Monetary Fund (I-M-F) of being uncaring towards Asia.
Mahathir has been critical of international bailouts of Asian economies led by the I-M-F.
Indonesia was top of his agenda.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"A change in government without funds is not going to help Indonesia. But the funds are still withheld. So people in Indonesia today will not have enough food, enough medicine, enough milk for their children. They will get very angry with the government. There will be instability. And when there is instability, then the international agencies will say we will not release money to you because you are unstable. So we have to decide to break this cycle."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister
He says the West has a responsibility to Asia as both the futures of both regions are linked to each other and the rest of the world.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Asia will be so closely intertwined and interlinked with the rest of the world that it cannot be distinguished from the world's future. Asian countries will prosper again but not as Asian countries. But their economy would be dominated and run by huge foreign corporations."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir also took a swipe at global concerns about a runaway arms race in South Asia.
He said that India and Pakistan were not the only countries that have amassed nuclear weapons.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We make a big show about Pakistan and India. Let's apply sanctions to all countries with nuclear weapons."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister
Japan, the only country ever to suffer a nuclear attack, has been among the harshest critics of India and Pakistan after they carried out nuclear weapons tests last month.
The Japanese Foreign Minister, Keizo Obuchi, made a plea for unity in Asia, rather than confrontation.
SOUNDBITE: (Japanese)
"Diversity is a character of Asia. I believe it is the time when we go beyond our differences and cooperate one another in the fields of politics, security, and economy to make the next century the century of peace and prosperity".
SUPER CAPTION: Keizo Obuchi, Japanese Foreign Minister
During the conference, ministers discussed the Asian economic crisis.
They said things will get worse before they can get better.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The economic pain is very real and likely to get worse before the turn-around will occur".
SUPER CAPTION: Amaret Sila-On, Chairman, Financial Sector Restructuring Authority of Thailand
Most Asian economies have been in decline since last year.
Stock markets have reeled and currency speculators have attacked the region's financial systems
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Негізгі бет JAPAN: MALAYSIAN PREMIER ATTACKS WESTERN REACTION TO ASIAN CRISIS
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