>The unexpected approach by the 10-member Association of South-East Asian
>Nations comes just six months after Australia's arch-enemy in the region,
>former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, stepped down from
>politics. Dr Mahathir twice vetoed negotiations, in 1995 and 2000, when
>Australia and New Zealand sought to join ASEAN's free trade area.
Why was Mahathir so down on Australia?
Doug