PM A/S HILLEN URGES GREATER SECURITY COOPERATION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 002119

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PM/RSAT, EAP/MTS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MARR PGOV MY
SUBJECT: PM A/S HILLEN URGES GREATER SECURITY COOPERATION,
HIGHLIGHTS MALAYSIAN PEACEKEEPING

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher J. LaFleur for reasons 1.4(b)(d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) PM Assistant Secretary Dr. John Hillen encouraged
greater bilateral and regional security during November 8
meetings with senior Malaysian officials in the Foreign
Affairs and Defense ministries. He acknowledged Malaysia's
strong support for UNSCR 1718 and discussed non-proliferation
concerns regarding Iran. A/S Hillen used a visit to the
Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Center to highlight continued
U.S. support for Malaysia's willingness and ability to send
professional forces to the world's trouble spots. Malaysian
officials informed A/S Hillen of the GOM's intention to offer
additional forces for UNIFIL and sought U.S. political
support. A/S Hillen's delegation included BG John Toolan,
Principal Director, Asian and Pacific Affairs, OSD/ISA, Peter
Ipsen, Country Director, OSD/ISA, Henry Tucker, PM/RSAT and
LTC Philip Clemmons, J-5, Joint Staff.
End Summary.

Hillen Stresses Enhanced Cooperation with Defense Ministry
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2. (C) PM Assistant Secretary Dr. John Hillen, met on
November 8 with Malaysian Defense Ministry Secretary General
Dato' Haji Ahmad Lattfi bin Hashim. A/S Hillen expressed
USG's desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of
mutual interest, to include maritime security, counter
terrorism, non-proliferation and global peacekeeping
operations. He stated the U.S. would like to increase the
level of military training and cooperation between Malaysia
and the United States. Hillen suggested the GOM post a Naval
Attach in Washington given the importance of maritime
security, and thanked Malaysia for its support for UNSCR
1718, which was important in bringing the DPRK back to the
Six Party Talks. Finally, Hillen requested GOM support for
addressing non-proliferation concerns regarding Iran. S/G
Lattfi acknowledged the United States' contributions to
Malaysia's Armed Forces in training and equipment. He said
that Malaysia remained concerned about the legal issues of
PSI but noted their role as observers in recent PSI exercises.

Malaysia Wants to Send More Troops to UNIFIL
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3. (C) S/G Lattfi announced Malaysia's intention to request
UN authorization to send more peacekeeping troops to Lebanon.
Malaysia's 360 troops currently approved by the UN should
fully deploy by January 2007. GOM proposed to send an
additional battalion and S/G Lattfi requested that the USG
"use its influence in the U.N." to win approval. A/S Hillen
thanked Malaysia for its current pledge to UNIFIL and for its
commitment to support peace and stability in the Middle East.
He noted candidly that poorly worded statements by the
Malaysian Foreign Minister in August, suggesting that support
to Hizbollah was an option, had created political obstacles
for Malaysia's UNIFIL contribution. Nevertheless, the U.S.
welcomed Malaysia's support for UNIFIL and would prayerfully
consider Malaysia's new pledge of peacekeepers. A/S Hillen
made clear that the decision about the size and makeup of
Malaysia's force would be made by the UN.

Hillen Discusses Nonproliferation Concerns with MFA
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4. (C) A/S Hillen, accompanied by Ambassador LaFleur, met
with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Secretary General
Amb. Tan Seng Sung and officials drawn from the Multilateral
Affairs, Americas, and Territorial/Maritime Affairs
divisions. A/S Hillen thanked Malaysia for its support of
UNSCR 1718 and requested continued assistance regarding North
Korea, noting his belief that international support for the
sanctions moved North Korea back to the Six Party Talks. A/S
Hillen noted Malaysia's quick response to the recent passage
of a suspect North Korean vessel. Amb. Tan said there was
"no question" of Malaysian cooperation with the UN resolution
and he recognized that security issues in the Korean
peninsula directly affected Malaysia.


5. (C) A/S Hillen requested GOM's assistance in addressing
nonproliferation concerns about Iran, noting that many Arab
states were anxious about Iran's increasingly aggressive

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policies and the risks of WMD proliferation should Iran
continue unchecked with its nuclear program. In contrast to
statements on North Korea, Amb. Tan provided little response
other than noting that Iran was an issue subject to regional
politics.


6. (C) A/S Hillen noted Malaysia's contribution to peace in
the Middle East through its imminent peacekeeping role in
UNIFIL. The Foreign Ministry officials reiterated Malaysia's
desire to send an increased number of peacekeepers to
Lebanon. The Malaysian officials stated GOM's position that
peace in the Middle East can only come with resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that the United States
should play a central role in the peace process, though with
a more balanced perspective. Hillen responded that
Hezbollah,s call for Israel,s destruction was unhelpful and
disagreed that resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict
was a prerequisite to resolving all other issues in the
Middle East. He did however, acknowledge that movement on
the Peace Process from Israel and a more responsible
Palestinian partner would be helpful to the general
environment of addressing other problems in the Middle East.

Foreign Ministry on Security Cooperation
--------------


7. (C) A/S Hillen expressed his desire to increase
cooperation in the region by building relationships in areas
of common concern and by enhancing the capacity of countries
in Southeast Asia to combat terrorism, secure the sea lanes,
and face other threats to regional security. Amb. Tan and
other officials responded that Malaysia had made clear its
willingness to consider new areas of security cooperation on
a case by case basis, including intelligence exchange and
capacity building, as long as such activities respected
Malaysia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They
relayed their desire to cooperate with neighboring countries
on matters of regional security but pointed to only limited
success outside of maritime secruity activity with Singapore
and Indonesia in the Straits of Malacca. Under Secretary for
Territorial and Maritime Affairs Wan Napsiah Salleh noted the
International Maritime Organization's technical group on
safety of navigation and stated that Malaysia supported the
eventual formation of a similar group for security issues.
She also signaled the GOM's acceptance of the U.S. Border
Control Assessment Initiative (BCAI) field mission to Sabah
(now postponed until January 2007). Salleh referenced
coordinated Malaysia-Philippines patrols along the Sabah
maritime border and wondered whether these could be enhanced.
The Malaysians noted their intention to establish a regional
hub for humanitarian assistance at Subang, in cooperation
with the World Food Program, and indicated U.S. assistance
would be appreciated.

Thailand, China
--------------


8. (C) General Toolan inquired about developments in
southern Thailand and the southern Philippines. S/G Lattfi
said that there was nothing substantial he could report but
that he believed peace in these areas would only be achieved
through greater economic prosperity and that Malaysia's
policy was designed to promote economic growth. Hillen,s
interlocutors also commented that prospects for peace have
improved with the ouster of Thai PM Thaksin, but no lasting
peace would come with out economic development in the area.
When asked if GOM intends to offer new economic support, they
indicated that in past years Thailand had not accepted offers
of assistance and that it is up to Thailand to make the next
move. In response to A/S Hillen's question, Amb. Tan said
that Malaysia was pleased with the improved relationship
between China and the U.S. Tan described China as "very
important" to Malaysia, including as a market for Malaysian
exports. He highlighted China's support for Malaysia during
the regional economic crisis (presumably that of 1997-98).
He agreed with A/S Hillen that China has grown to the point
that Beijing must be expected to take on more responsibility
in global affairs.

Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Center
--------------


9. (U) A/S Hillen toured the Malaysia Peacekeeping Training
Center (MPTC) in Port Dickson and received a briefing from
the commandant, Col. Naharuddin bin Shaari, on its
operations. The MPTC has operated since 1996 and moved to a

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new facility in 2005 that includes boarding facilities for
students. The Center is responsible for training all
Malaysian peacekeepers prior to their deployment overseas and
offers training and seminars to foreign military personnel,
police and civil entities in peacekeeping logistics,
peacekeeping observation, and sexual exploitation and abuse
sensitivity. At the time of the visit, a peacekeeping
observer course was underway with 31 students, including
military personnel from Bosnia Herzegovia, Zimbabwe, Sudan,
Philippines, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Brunei. The MPTC
aspires to become a regional peacekeeping training center.
Col. Naharuddin thanked the U.S. for its ongoing assistance
in training and equipment, asked for more USG support for the
MPTC's programs.
LAFLEUR