DEMARCHES ON UNSCR 1718 OBLIGATIONS AND MARITIME

S E C R E T KUALA LUMPUR 002056 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/CPI AND EAP/K E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016 TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC MNUC KN MY SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON UNSCR 1718 OBLIGATIONS AND MARITIME SERVICES FOR DPRK SHIPS REF: A. STATE 180512 ¶B. STATE 179928 ¶C. STATE 179243 ¶D. KUALA LUMPUR 2019 Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark Clark, for reasons 1.4, b a nd d. ¶1. (C) We delivered refs A and B demarches, concerning obligations under UNSCR 1718 on DPRK conventional arms and maritime services for DPRK ships, to Bala Chandran Tharman, Principal Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Political Division, on November 3. Bala Chandran indicated that Malaysia takes seriously its obligations under UNSC 1718 and understands the importance of the international community's response to the North Korea situation. He said that he had been very involved in issues related to UNSCR 1718 over the past several days and that the Malaysian government was deciding on the appropriate means to comply with the resolution's provisions. He welcomed the formation of the UN committee to coordinate 1718 responses but expressed disappointment that it had taken two weeks to come about. ¶2. (S) Bala Chandran did not have any information about KOMID (ref A) but indicated he would look into the matter. Regarding maritime services for North Korean vessels, Bala Chandran noted the GOM's quick response to our inquiries regarding the DPRK vessel Bong Hoa San (ref D). While expressing some frustration with the limited information surrounding the passage of the Bong Hoa San through the Strait of Malacca, he indicated Malaysia was prepared to cooperate further should the need arise. LAFLEUR