MUGABE TO VISIT MALAYSIA AUGUST 4-8 FOR LANGKAWI

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 001212 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EAP AND AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL ZI MY SUBJECT: MUGABE TO VISIT MALAYSIA AUGUST 4-8 FOR LANGKAWI DIALOGUE REF: A. STATE 75160 ¶B. DANIELS TO EAP-MTS EMAIL OF 20 JUNE 2007 ¶1. (U) The Malaysian Foreign Ministry confirmed to us on July 27 that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe intends to visit Malaysia again in order to attend the Langkawi International Dialogue, August 4-8. According to press accounts and the MFA, some 12 to 16 heads of government, mostly from African states, have confirmed their attendance. The Langkawi Dialogue process, begun some 12 years ago by former Prime Minister Mahathir, aims to foster South-South partnerships and networking. ¶2. (SBU) On instruction to support an Australian-led initiative (ref A),the Ambassador joined his counterparts from the Australian, British and New Zealand and Canadian high commissions in delivering a demarche on June 20 urging Malaysia to restrict the travel of senior Zimbabwe officials. The Malaysian Foreign Ministry was not responsive to our joint demarche (ref B). ¶3. (SBU) On July 27, Polchief called MFA Under Secretary for Africa Azlan Man and asked about Mugabe's travel plans for the Langkawi Dialogue. Azlan stated that Mugabe had been invited to the early August event. After an awkward pause, Azlan claimed that he did not know for certain that Mugabe would attend (instead, the MFA's secretariat for the event provided us with confirmation). Polchief told Azlan, who had attended our June 20 demarche, that news of Mugabe's visit would be very disappointing to countries like the U.S. that had urged Malaysia to restrict the travel of senior Zimbabwe officials. Azlan declined to engage in further conversation after we made our point. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: We see no prospect of Malaysia turning off Mugabe's attendance at the Langkawi Dialogue. We are encouraging, however, the high commissions of Australia, UK, New Zealand and Canada to join us in registering disappointment with Malaysia's decision. LAFLEUR