KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6: Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged the United Nations to get its resolutions implemented on Kashmir in order to resolve the half a century old problem between India and Pakistan.

“If the UN had adopted certain resolutions on Kashmir, they must be implemented and this is how you can address this issue,” he said.

Talking to a group of journalists from Middle East, India and Pakistan here on Wednesday, the Malaysian prime minister said that the UN should honour its commitments on Kashmir.

Dr Mahathir agreed with a reporter that increasing tension between the two countries required careful handling of the issue by the international community. “The is the policy of Malaysia to support UN-prescribed solutions but unfortunately India does not accept it.”

He regretted that India was opposing third-party mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue. “Naturally I cannot play a role of mediator as India does not want any outside interference,” he said, adding that even the US Secretary of State Colin Powell could not do any thing although he wanted to intervene.

However, he said, both India and Pakistan should resume the process of dialogue to resolve all their disputes including that of Kashmir.

Dr Mahathir said that his country wanted to establish cordial political and economic relations with Pakistan. “I do not say about any country but Malaysia certainly wants to develop good relations with Pakistan,” he stressed.

Responding to a question, he said Malaysia would support Pakistan’s bid to become an observer in Asean. “But if Pakistan wants to become a dialogue partner it should show some interest by applying for the status of observer,” Dr Mahathir said.

Talking about post-Sept 11, 2001 situation, he said the United States was angry and so were the Muslims and there was a need to remove the growing tension in the world. “The US is trying to get revenge and the Christians are considering Muslims as their enemies which is not a healthy sign for the world peace,” he said.

He advised the western countries to change their policies towards the Muslim countries.

“No country has been identified and no individual has been proved to be involved in 9/11 events, therefore, the US should review its policies.”

He pointed out that unless injustice was removed from the world and Palestinians were given their rights, terrorism-related incidents would continue to take place in one country or the other.