Chirac to be honored with Malaysian award for opposing Iraq war

KUALA LUMPUR (Khaleej Times)

French President Jacques Chirac will be honored with a Malaysian peace award for his opposition to the Iraq war during a five- hour stopover here on Tuesday, officials said.


Chirac will receive the inaugural Kuala Lumpur World Peace Award from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is also a strong critic of the war, after talks in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

Chirac was chosen for his unflinching opposition to the US-led attack on Iraq and his courage in standing up for the oppressed, a senior official said. ---

Trade between the two countries reached 9.43 billion ringgit (2.48 billion dollars) last year, and there are more than 170 French companies operating in Malaysia.

Malaysia last year sealed a 1.035 billion euro (972 million dollars) deal to buy three French submarines to establish its first fleet of subs under a military upgrading program.

At least one country appreciates, and rewards, the peacemakers.

I'm sure they'd have a different kind of prize for him there.

At least there is one place that is not small minded and hateful like Americans seem to be. France was right. We were dead wrong.