MALAYSIA AWAITS INTERPRETATION OF NORTH KOREA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 001958 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2026 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KN MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA AWAITS INTERPRETATION OF NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1884 - MALAYSIA "DEPLORES" TEST ¶B. STATE 172816 - INFORMATION ON UNSCR 1718 Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reasons 1.4 (b an d d). ¶1. (C) We delivered ref B points to Malaysia's Foreign Ministry on October 16 and Polcouns followed up with the Under Secretary for Multilateral Political Affairs Shahrul Ikram on October 17. With Shahrul, Polcouns discussed the nature of the sanctions and emphasized the importance of international adherence. Despite Malaysia's general inclination to oppose sanctions measures, Shahrul said Malaysia recognized the need to respond firmly to North Korea's provocative action and the GOM of course would abide by UNSCR 1718. Shahrul commented that the resolution contained many qualifying words and phrases, and would require interpretation. The GOM was not yet sure how 1718 would be implemented. Malaysia continued to see China and secondarily Russia as key to the North Korea issue. Shahrul reiterated his Minister's public comments (below) that sanctions on North Korea would not have a great impact on Malaysia because their bilateral trade was minimal. Shahrul offered that the UNSC decision on North Korea sanctions would have resonance for the issue of Iran's nuclear program. ¶2. (U) Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, in comments to reporters October 16, emphasized the UN sanctions would have little effect on Malaysia given the low trade volume with North Korea. Hamid also reiterated Malaysia's general disapproval of the use of sanctions. According to the state news agency Bernama, Hamid said, "Malaysia does not believe in sanctions because the people will suffer.... (The sanctions) make it almost impossible to do trade with North Korea. I do not know if this will help bring about a resolution, but the sanctions are very hard." The Bernama report referenced a July 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between Malaysia and North Korea covering a $20 million credit facility for North Korean purchases of Malaysian palm oil. Hamid expressed hope that China and Russia would persuade Pyongyang to return to negotiations. SHEAR