Malaysia to send 40 armed forces personnel to Afghanistan for humanitarian aid; RIMPAC Naval exercise begins in Hawaii; Malaysia to provide technical assistance to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina to promote bilateral relations;
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    • Malaysia is to send 40 armed forces personnel as a part of an Interim National Support and Assistance operation mission to Afghanistan to work along with the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) from New Zealand. The Malaysian contingency would be in Afghanistan exclusively for humanitarian aid and not for combat exercises. Malaysian government expressed hope that its armed forces’ contribution would be instrumental in bringing peace and harmony to Afghanistan.1

    Fourteen countries are currently participating in the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise in Hawaii. The exercise is hosted by the US and involves countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, etc. More than 30 ships, five submarines, 150 aircraft and 20,000 personnel from the participant countries are participating in RIMPAC exercise, which will conclude on August 1, 2010.2

    During Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman’s recent four-day long visit to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began on July 10, Malaysia decided to provide technical assistance to these countries. In order to encourage the Bosnian businessmen interested in setting up their own business enterprises, Malaysia is also considering launching of a small and medium enterprise to provide economic assistance to them. Such assistance will not only help Malaysia to promote and strengthen capacity building with the two Balkan states, it will also enhance their bilateral relations.3

    Recently, the US has encouraged India to play an important role in bringing about democratic reforms within the junta-ruled Myanmar. In this context, US assistant secretary of state Kurt Campbell stated that “India’s very important role in the international community” should be used to penetrate the tight military clique that runs Myanmar.4 He further suggested that India should encourage interlocutors within Myanmar “to embrace reform, to free political prisoners and to engage more responsibly with the international community.”5

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