MALAYSIA CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN IRAN NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000127

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DEPT FOR ISN, NEA, IO AND EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2017
TAGS: ENRG PREL AORC KNNP IAEA TRGY MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN IRAN NUCLEAR
TOUR, CITES FRIENDSHIP AND NAM SOLIDARITY

REF: STATE 6433

Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reasons 1.4 (b an
d d).


1. (C) The Ambassador raised our concerns over Malaysia's
participation in the visit to Iranian nuclear sites (reftel)
with Foreign Ministry Secretary General Rastam Mohammed Isa
on January 19. The Ambassador, noting that he was under
instruction, urged Malaysia not to accept Iran's invitation
for a tour that Iran would use to project international
legitimacy for activities prohibited by the UN Security
Council. Rastam said he understood U.S. concerns, but that
such a visit could be beneficial by providing more
information on Iran's nuclear program. The Ambassador
responded that such a tour would not be a substitute for
Iranian compliance with UNSC requirements and it would be far
better for Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA.


2. (C) Polchief also spoke with the Foreign Ministry's Under
Secretary for Multilateral Political Affairs, Shahrul Ikram,

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on January 19 and urged Malaysia to reconsider its acceptance
of Iran's invitation in light of Malaysia's avowed support
for UNSCR 1737. Polchief highlighted the clear risk that
Malaysia's participation would be misused by Iran and
misinterpreted by the international community, and noted that
the visit would receive intense scrutiny by the U.S. and
others. Shahrul said Malaysia, as part of the NAM Troika,
had accepted Iran's invitation and would go ahead with
participation in the visit. NAM solidarity and Malaysia's
friendly relations with Teheran made acceptance a foregone
conclusion, he commented. Noting that the visit must be
treated "very carefully," Shahrul asserted that the Malaysian
envoy was under instruction not to pass any public judgments
on Iran's nuclear program and not to sign on to Iranian
statements that made such judgments. Polchief asked if
Malaysia would take the opportunity to urge Iran's compliance
with UNSCR 1737 and Shahrul, while remaining non-committal,
said in theory any such messages would be conveyed privately
to Iran. Reiterating Malaysia's intention to abide by UNSCR
1737, Shahrul noted he had chaired the Ministry's recent
planning meeting on 1737 compliance.


3. (C) Comment: These senior Foreign Ministry officials
received our message loud and clear. At this point, however,
NAM solidarity -- with a Muslim country no less -- and
Malaysia's strengthening relations with Iran trump concern
over the U.S. and international community's potential
reaction to participation in the Iranian nuclear tour.
LAFLEUR