BURMA/ASEAN DEMARCHE; MALAYSIAN FM OPPOSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000070 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC XC BM MY SUBJECT: BURMA/ASEAN DEMARCHE; MALAYSIAN FM OPPOSES "INTERNATIONALIZATION" REF: A. STATE 3586 - SEEKING ASEAN SUPPORT ¶B. STATE 1060 - TABLING BURMA RESOLUTION ¶C. KUALA LUMPUR 40 - MALAYSIA STILL WAVERING ¶D. 06 KUALA LUMPUR 2296 - MALAYSIA HESITANT Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Mark D. Clark, reasons 1. 4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) A/DCM delivered ref A demarche seeking Malaysian and ASEAN backing for the draft UNSCR on Burma to the Foreign Ministry's desk officer in charge of UN political affairs on January 11. Recalling our demarche on January 8, A/DCM reiterated the U.S. call for Malaysia's support, as well as ASEAN's backing of the resolution. If ASEAN support were not possible, A/DCM urged Malaysia and ASEAN to refrain from any public statements in opposition to the resolution. Desk Officer Nazaruddin indicated Malaysia remained uncomfortable with making Burma the subject of UNSC action (refs C, D). He pledged to communicate our points to senior officials already in Cebu. (Note: Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, Secretary General Rastam and senior Ministry officials responsible for ASEAN and Burma departed for Cebu prior to receipt of ref A demarche, while remaining senior officials were not available at short notice. End Note.) ¶2. (U) Foreign Minister Syed Hamid appeared to oppose current UNSC action on Burma in public comments made on January 11, according to a Malaysian state news agency (Bernama) report. Speaking to reporters in Cebu, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid said Burma had asked ASEAN for protection against UN actions. ASEAN agreed Burma was not a threat to the international community and that, "we believe it (Burma) is not an issue to be internationalized." He added, however, that Burma "must allow ASEAN to play a role in the reconciliation (process) and give confidence (to the international community)." The Foreign Minister called for Burma to show "tangible results" in the area of democratic reforms. ¶3. (C) Comment: We do not expect Malaysia to support the Burma resolution with its ASEAN neighbors, based on our previous demarches (refs C, D) and as indicated by the Foreign Minister's unhelpful public remarks today. SHEAR