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The Ministry
of International Trade and Industry condemned US lawmaker Tom Lantos’ call for
a halt in the trade negotiations over a US$16 billion deal signed in January between
the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company and Malaysia’s SKS Group.
<P>"Malaysia
reiterates that the FTA negotiations cannot be held hostage to any political demand,
and cannot be conducted under such threats," it said of the free-trade agreement
(FTA) talks.</P><P>"Malaysia is also ready to suspend negotiations if the
situation warrants it," it said ahead of a crucial fifth round of negotiations
which will likely determine whether a deal is reached before a March deadline.</P><P>"It
is now up to the US administration to make its official position known, in order
for Malaysia to decide on the future of the negotiations."</P><P>Next week’s
talks between the US and Malaysia are seen as a last chance to establish a deal
before President George W Bush’s powers to strike free trade deals expire in June.</P><P>Both
sides have already expressed fears that they will fail to meet the deadline, with
talks bogged down in sensitive areas including the services sector, investment
and government procurement.</P><P>Will not bow to political pressure</P><P>The
trade ministry said the negotiations were launched on the understanding that there
would be "no political agenda and no interference into domestic policies."</P><P>"The
call by Tom Lantos to suspend the free trade agreement negotiations because of
a business deal by a Malaysian company with the National Iranian Oil company does
not augur well for the negotiations," it said.</P><P>"No country can
determine how companies in another country should conduct business."</P><P>Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also said today that Malaysia would not bow to
political pressure from Washington.</P><P>"We reject the pressure being inflicted
upon us. We are a sovereign country and have our own stand," he said according
to the official Bernama news agency.</P><P>"This is a question of business.
Do not insert politically-related matters to the talks. For this agreement, no
political matter is needed to be brought to the negotiating table," he said.
– AFP</P><P><I>http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/62910</I>
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