PGPO TO CONTINUE HELPING PALESTINE, SAYS DR MAHATHIR

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO) has vowed to continue aiding the Palestinians, including sending much-needed supplies to the people of Gaza.

Its chairman, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said the organisation would send
necessary equipment to repair Gaza's sewage system destroyed in Israeli attacks against the occupied territory.

"Because of this, sewage is flowing into the Mediterranean sea which may cause pollution and disease to beachgoers, including Israelis themselves," he said.

However, he did not say when the mission would take place.

Dr Mahathir, a former prime minister, was speaking at a press conference after launching the Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) and a peace tour at the Al-Bukhary Foundation building here Friday.

Present were PGPF advisor Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, PGPF chairman Norian Mai and Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Abd Elaziz Abu Ghoush.

Asked on PGPO'S declaration against war made at the War Crimes Conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2007, Dr Mahathir said there were non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from other countries which shared the same view with Malaysia.

"The word has been spread but we don't see the results yet. PGPO would consider it a success if anti-war groups worldwide were to tell electoral candidates in their nation, if they don't forswear war they won't get the vote," he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the "Rachel Corrie", a Malaysian aid ship which was seized by Israeli commandos in international waters as it headed to Gaza in June last year, he said PGPO may need to acquire a new one.

To another question, the former prime minister said diplomats must try harder to make diplomacy work.

Dr Mahathir said people across the globe would be less threatened by the possibilities of war if politicians gave an undertaking that they would not go down that road.