Iran kicked out of defence show in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR — Iran has been forced to leave an international defence show in Malaysia for exhibiting missile equipment in violation of UN rules, an official said Thursday.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Iranian companies were ordered out of the Defence Services Asia show Tuesday because their exhibition was deemed “offensive.”

“Unfortunately, when we came around to inspecting their stand, they displayed equipment that clearly contravened the UN resolution — equipment such as missiles and missile systems and others,” Mr. Najib told reporters.

“The moment they crossed the line, we had no option but to terminate them,” he added.

Mr. Najib said the exhibit was in defiance of UN resolutions that ban Iranian arms exports and forbid countries from providing Iran with technical and financial assistance that could contribute to its alleged nuclear weapons program.

Mr. Najib said other countries participating in the show had complained about Iran's exhibition, but stressed Malaysia's decision was not due to Western pressure. He did not name the countries.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur declined to comment, saying it “doesn't discuss details of diplomatic exchanges.”

Iran is under three sets of UN Security Council sanctions for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment and meet other council demands designed to ease fears that its civilian nuclear program is a cover for attempts to make atomic weapons.

Tehran has denied ever trying to make nuclear arms.

The Malaysian defence show, billed as one of the largest of its kind in Asia, began Monday with hundreds of exhibitors from about 50 countries.

An Iranian Embassy official in Kuala Lumpur, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements, insisted the country's participation was “not against Malaysian or international laws.” He declined to elaborate.

Malaysian authorities had informed the Iranian ambassador earlier this week about the exhibition's rules, Mr. Najib said.

“We were left in a situation where we did not have any option, since Malaysia is committed to respecting and adhering to the UN resolution,” Mr. Najib said.

JULIA ZAPPEI
Associated Press
April 24, 2008