MALAYSIA WILL PARTICIPATE IN PARIS DONORS

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 001686 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR NEA/IPA/BELGRADE, EEB/IFD/ODF/DEMARCELLUS AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV AMGT KPAL KWBG IS MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA WILL PARTICIPATE IN PARIS DONORS CONFERENCE, LEVEL NOT DECIDED REF: STATE 163955 ¶1. (SBU) Polchief spoke with Assistant Secretary Mohd Adlyn Mughni Shamsudin in the Malaysian Foreign Ministry's OIC Division on December 7 and urged Malaysia's full and constructive participation in the Paris Donors Conference. Adlyn responded that Malaysia had agreed to attend the conference. The decision on Malaysia's level of representation was still under consideration by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar. (Note: We heard separately from a diplomatic source that Foreign Minister Syed Hamid likely would not go to Paris. End Note.) Polchief noted the importance of delivering significant political and economic support to the Palestinian Authority and argued that Malaysia should try to exceed its previous levels of assistance to the Palestinians (roughly $16 million over the past year). Adlyn stated that Prime Minister Abdullah had been briefed on the issue. The Malaysian government had not yet made a decision on 2008 aid to Palestine, but in all likelihood the amount would increase over that of previous years. Part of Malaysia's support would take the form of technical assistance and training. ¶2. (SBU) Adlyn, who joined the Malaysian delegation to Washington for the Annapolis Conference, said Foreign Minister Syed Hamid viewed Annapolis as "very positive." The Foreign Minister and the Malaysian government had not issued any formal statements following Annapolis. KEITH