MALAYSIAN PM URGES IRAQI RECONCILIATION, NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000356

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2016
TAGS: PREL KISL IZ MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIAN PM URGES IRAQI RECONCILIATION, NATIONAL
UNITY GOVERNMENT


Classified By: PolCouns Thomas F. Daughton for reasons 1.4b, d.


1. (U) On March 1, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi
issued the following statement on the current situation in
Iraq:

BEGIN TEXT

I am extremely and gravely concerned with the latest
developments in Iraq because the increasing scale of violence
is dangerously escalating into a situation which could become
beyond control.

In my capacity as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and on
behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia, I would like
to appeal to the people of Iraq, particularly the ethnic and
sectarian leaders in Iraq, to do everything possible and
constructive to put an end to all violence, engage in
peaceful discussions and earnestly establish a process of
national reconciliation.

In my capacity as Chairman of the Summit Conference of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, and on behalf of the
member countries of the Organization, I would like to extend
this same appeal to the Iraqi Transitional Government.

I sincerely believe that it is not impossible for the people
of Iraq to achieve a genuine and workable national accord. I
hope the people of Iraq would consider it beneficial to
establish a government of national unity. I have no doubt
that the power to do so lies in the hands of the people of
Iraq. I pray that the people of Iraq will not look upon
compromises in negotiations only as a last resort but apply
that approach as the first preference in their deliberations.

I have great faith that the vast majority of the people of
Iraq do not wish their country to be divided and their people
fragmented along ethnic and sectarian lines. The people of
Malaysia fully support these sentiments. Living in a
multi-racial and multi-religious society, Malaysians
understand the imperative for mutual respect between racial
groups and harmonious co-existence between religions.

The people of Malaysia have no other wish but to see the
early dawning of peace, stability and prosperity for the
people of Iraq. We wish to see Iraq take its rightful place
in the international community of nations with the confidence
and dignity that it deserves. Malaysia would like to engage
Iraq in cordial and cooperative relations for mutual benefit.
Malaysia stands ready to assist in whatever way deemed
appropriate by the leaders of Iraq.

The international community too has an urgent responsibility
to help preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq for the
sake of the people of Iraq.

END TEXT


2. (C) COMMENT: We have consistently urged the Malaysian
foreign ministry to issue statements supporting the Iraqi
government and condemning terrorist violence in Iraq, but the
Malaysians have generally been hesitant to do so. Abdullah's
statement is thus doubly welcome. It was likely prompted by
the prime minister's personal concern about the scale of
recent communal violence in Iraq. It also tracks with past
private comments from him and Foreign Minister Hamid about
the importance of heading off sectarian divisions there.
LAFLEUR