DATE= 04/01/02

TYPE= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288203

TITLE= ISLAMIC CONFERENCE / TERRORISM (S)

BYLINE= SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE= KUALA LUMPUR

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Malaysia, foreign ministers from 57 Muslim nations have opened a conference on terrorism and heard Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad say that Palestinian suicide bombings and attacks on civilians by Israeli forces are acts of terrorism. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Kuala Lumpur that the Conference of the Islamic Organization is aiming to define terrorism in the hopes of convening a worldwide meeting on the topic.

TEXT: Prime Minister Mahathir told delegates Monday that Muslims must condemn terrorism once it is clearly defined. But he added that an entire religion should not be condemned because of the acts of some of its members.

/// MAHATHIR ACT ///

We must object strongly to the linking of Muslims with terror just because a few Muslims have resorted to acts of terror.

/// END ACT ///

The Malaysian leader proposed that any attacks on civilians be considered terrorist. But he cautioned that the world, while hunting down terrorists, should also seek to remove the causes of their anger.

Delegates note that views often differ on just who a terrorist is and say they want to define the term. They are also expected to condemn the recent Israeli attacks against the Palestinian headquarters in a separate declaration. (Signed)

NEB/HK/SB/MAR/RH