WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior State Department official says top diplomat John Kerry will push Malaysia to redouble efforts against human trafficking on an upcoming visit for regional security talks.
Kerry’s visit, starting Wednesday, comes a week after the department faced a storm of protest for lifting Malaysia off its trafficking blacklist. U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists say the decision was intended to smooth the way for a trade agreement among 12 Pacific rim nations, including Malaysia.
The official maintains there’s been progress in Malaysia’s performance but that it needs to do much more. The official was briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the department.
Kerry is traveling to Malaysia for security talks with Asian nations, after stops in the Mideast. He’ll also visit Singapore and Vietnam.
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