Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUALALUMPUR1513
2007-10-11 09:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:  

BURMA: MALAYSIA RECEIVES DEMARCHE ON ASEAN

Tags:  PREL PHUM UNSC BM MY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6625
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHKL #1513 2840950
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 110950Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0094
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2381
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2401
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0340
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0723
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1043
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 001513 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM MY
SUBJECT: BURMA: MALAYSIA RECEIVES DEMARCHE ON ASEAN
LEADERSHIP AND POSSIBLE ENVOY

REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1484 - WAITING ON GAMBARI


B. STATE 137644 - KEEPING PRESSURE ON THE REGIME

C. KUALA LUMPUR 1476 - UMNO YOUTH PROTEST

D. KUALA LUMPUR 1470 - CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT FAILED

E. KUALA LUMPUR 1386 - NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ON UNSC ROLE

F. KUALA LUMPUR 1375 - AMB'S FAREWELL CALL ON FM

Classified By: Charge David B. Shear for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 001513

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM MY
SUBJECT: BURMA: MALAYSIA RECEIVES DEMARCHE ON ASEAN
LEADERSHIP AND POSSIBLE ENVOY

REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1484 - WAITING ON GAMBARI


B. STATE 137644 - KEEPING PRESSURE ON THE REGIME

C. KUALA LUMPUR 1476 - UMNO YOUTH PROTEST

D. KUALA LUMPUR 1470 - CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT FAILED

E. KUALA LUMPUR 1386 - NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ON UNSC ROLE

F. KUALA LUMPUR 1375 - AMB'S FAREWELL CALL ON FM

Classified By: Charge David B. Shear for reasons 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) Charge delivered ref A demarche on October 11 to
Malaysian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Rastam Mohamed
Isa. Charge expressed appreciation for Foreign Minister Syed
Hamid's statements October 7 urging the Burmese regime to
begin a dialogue without preconditions with ASSK and the
pro-democracy opposition. Charge asked for Malaysia's
reaction to Gambari's October 5 statement before the UNSC.
Rastam confessed that he had not seen the Gambari statement,
but he expected that it was in line with the briefing Gambari
provided to Malaysia's UN Permanent Representative in New
York. Rastam expressed keen interest in the outcome of the
current deliberations over a UNSC President's statement.


2. (C) Charge said he had been instructed to seek Malaysia's
reaction to the possibility of ASEAN appointing a special
envoy to Burma. Such an envoy would support Gambari's
mission; reinforce ASEAN's strong interest in resolving
Burma's current problems; and provide a means for ASEAN to
engage both China and India in support of positive change in
Burma. The SecGen responded that the idea of a special envoy
was one Malaysia could consider, but it would need to be
discussed with ASEAN. Rastam hinted that ASEAN had already
heard of the proposal but offered no thoughts on how the
group might have taken it up. How ASEAN would do it and when
would be important questions, he said.


3. (C) Rastam added that ASEAN would need to weigh Burma's
reaction to the special envoy proposal, noting that Burma was
in the process of dealing with Gambari. This appeared to be
having some success, and there was a need to let Gambari do
his job, Rastam commented. Malaysia and ASEAN strongly
supported Gambari, and ASEAN would need to see what comes
next for the UN envoy's mission. Rastam refused to comment
on whatever deliberations ASEAN countries may be having with
regard to addressing the Burma issue in the November ASEAN
Summit.


4. (C) Comment: Rastam's initial reaction was not
enthusiastic. The concept of an ASEAN special envoy for
Burma will immediately rekindle in Malaysian minds memories
of Foreign Minister Hamid's bitter experience in trying to
carry out a somewhat similar role in early 2006. The extent
to which other ASEAN members support and take ownership of
the special envoy concept will be more important to the
Malaysians than future U.S. endorsement.
SHEAR