OBAMA PENNED LETTER ON PALESTINIAN PLIGHT

MELAKA (Malaysia), Jan 14 (Bernama) -- An assembly to denounce the Israeli
invasion of Gaza here was told that President-elect Barack Obama had penned a
letter, describing the Palestinians as the most tragic group of people.

International Movement of Just World (Just) president Dr Chandra Muzaffar
said Obama wrote the letter, 15 years ago, when he was a young lawyer.

"I want to remind Obama to recall his letter and do something to end the
Israeli bombardment," he told the assembly attended by about 10,000 people at
the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh here Tuesday.

Chandra said the conflict could be resolved if the US president gave an
ultimatum to Israel to end the massacre.

"We hope Obama will act accordingly, based on his observation at the time
when he had expressed his sympathy for the Palestinans," he said.

Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam Mohd Ali expressed support
for a motion condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza and the 10 resolutions
tabled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the special session
of the Lower House of Parliament Monday.

He called for the United Nations office in New York to be moved to Beijing,
in line with the human rights charter.

Mohd Ali later launched a special fund for the Palestinians, set up by the
Malacca Government, and hoped it would be able to raise RM1 million.

-- BERNAMA