PACIFIC WATCH

MALAYSIA: The government is expected to continue efforts to organize a new East Asian economic association, despite U.S. objections. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohomad last December called for formation of a larger Asian trading bloc to counter trade restrictions by Western nations should international trade talks involving the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade fail. A new trading bloc would complement ASEAN, an economic coalition consisting of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei. Malaysian Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz says talks will begin in March on formation of a trade bloc that would include the ASEAN nations plus Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.