Cambodian delegate Cham Prasidh, who is also Minister of Commerce, said the wealth of rich nations should be used to eradicate poverty in poorer countries and revive their economies. "Dr Mahathir is vocal in outlawing war. He could not be more right in asserting that present-day war is far worse than war in the Stone Age as it is not aimed at warriors, but civilians, women, children and old people. What is the purpose of spending billions of dollars on conducting research and development on destructive weapons that only lead to destruction of humanity? Even if they value their money so much and are reluctant to give or lend it to the poorer nations, they should at least use it to help the poor in their own countries," he said.

Tunji Oseni, Chief Press Secretary to the President of Nigeria, said he was optimistic that war could be averted with a new global agenda to foster peace. Dr Mahathir had struck the right note with his agendas for present and for the future. "NAM plays an important role in acquiring greater relevance to sorting out the current mess in the world."

Ethiopia's Ambassador to China, Addis Alem Balema, who headed the Ethiopian delegation, said war was destructive and weapons were invented with the motive to kill. "Dr Mahathir is right. We should stop investing in weapons, especially the powerful nuclear weapons that will further impoverish the poor by destroying their property."

The delegate of Sri Lanka, Tissa Karalliyadde MP, said he hated war as his country has been in conflict for the past 20 years. He supported Dr Mahathir's demand to outlaw war. Colombia's delegate, J.R. Salazar, said Dr Mahathir's speech was very inspiring to all NAM member states, especially in championing the cause of poorer countries. He said that some states failed to set their investment priorities. Some preferred investing in weapons instead of helping others to revive their economies.

Iraq's delegate, Sabah Ahmad, urged the UN Security Council to oversee the military budget of all countries and supervise all arms trading activities. "Dr Mahathir is right that the UN has to commit itself in this respect while NAM must struggle to control the arms trade. Weapons... do not bring prosperity or development, but only block civilization and hamper progress."

The delegate of Namibia, D.A. Ndatipo appreciated Dr Mahathir's efforts to foster peace. He said that the rich nations did little in this sphere, but many of them suppressed the poorer nations "by squeezing out their last drop of blood.... The double standard set by the rich nations with regard to the Palestinian issue is irritating and has infuriated Muslims. Their assistance to Israel's acts of terror is unforgivable."

Jamaica's Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister K.D. Knight said that Dr. Mahathir's speech made it crystal clear that war cannot solve problems. He added that he fully supported Dr Mahathir's call for a more multilateral approach to solving problems between nations.

The United States came under blistering attack by other Non-Aligned Movement leaders, who accused Washington of high handedness and attempts to revive colonialism. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said the US, Britain and other Western countries had become "ferocious hunting bulldogs, raring to go, as they sniff for Third World blood. We, their hunted game, are for slaughter. The Charter of the United Nations, international peace, the sovereignty of nations and non-interference in the domestic affairs of States are being desecrated every day." Addressing the plenary session of the Summit at Putra World Trade Center yesterday, Mugabe said that President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair were imperialists who wanted to impose a new form of colonialism on developing countries. "Bush and Blair have, apparently, developed similar warlike dispositions deriving from similar ideologies of neo imperialism." Iraq, he added, may have developed or desire to develop weapons of mass destruction, but the US has massive arms of that magnitude. "Why can't they demonstrate what Iraq should do...by destroying their own massive heaps first? "They should surely set the example, and yet they have even refused to sign the treaty on nuclear disarmament."

North Korean President Kim Yong Nam said that the developing countries are being trampled down or threatened by US foreign policy. North Korea is embroiled in a nuclear standoff with the US, following its decision to withdraw from the global arms control treaty. "The nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula is the eventual product of the deep-rooted US hostile policy for more than a century in order to isolate and stifle us," said Kim.

Libyan Foreign Affairs Secretary Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgam said there was a need to remove barriers such as unilateral laws and selective sanctions, which paralyze the economies and defenses of some countries. "Moreover, we should not forget the mines planted by the colonialists in some of our lands. These mines still kill our children, destroy our property and hamper our efforts to open new areas." He hoped that NAM would support Libya's efforts to have all the sanctions imposed on his country lifted, as it had fully responded to all the UN Security Council requirements. "We also hope that NAM can support the legitimate right of Libya to receive fair compensation for the material and human damage caused by the sanctions imposed against us."

Laos Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachaith said that in the current climate, where dialogue and cooperation are the way to solve international relations, the US instead is using a unilateral trade embargo against Cuba. He added, "In solidarity with Cuba and in conformity with the UN General Assembly resolutions, our Movement must exert more efforts and do everything it can in order to put an end to this long and unjust embargo." Vorachaith claimed that the strategic defense doctrine and the increase in military expenditure are eroding an international climate conducive to disarmament.

Mauritius Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth said that non-NAM members had orchestrated the international agenda for far too long. "From globalization issues to negotiations at the WTO and in many other areas, we are at the receiving end of decisions that are virtually imposed."