IRAN: AMBASSADOR URGES MALAYSIA TO HIGHLIGHT INT'L

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 001105 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2018 TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC ETTC KNNP IR MY SUBJECT: IRAN: AMBASSADOR URGES MALAYSIA TO HIGHLIGHT INT'L CONCERNS DURING ABDULLAH'S VISIT TO TEHERAN REF: A. KL-EAP EMAIL EXCHANGE 18-19 DEC 2008 ¶B. KUALA LUMPUR 1078 - AMBASSADOR AND EU DELIVER POINTS ¶C. KUALA LUMPUR 1045 - PM PLAN TO VISIT IRAN Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Robert G. Rapson, reason 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) The Ambassador spoke with Malaysian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Rastam Mohd Isa on December 19 and urged Malaysia to use Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's December 21-24 visit to Teheran (ref C) to reinforce the necessity of Iran addressing the international community's concerns over its nuclear program. Drawing on ref A points, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of PM Abdullah delivering a clear message underlining the international community's resolve with regard to nuclear nonproliferation in Iran and the importance of finding a diplomatic solution. Rastam indicated that he would share the Ambassador's points with the Prime Minister's delegation. Rastam reaffirmed that Malaysia intended to carry out bilateral relations and activities with Iran, but not in areas that would violate any UN Security Council sanctions. (Note: On December 19, Polcouns also delivered ref A points to MFA Senior Under Secretary (Americas/EU) Zainuddin Yahya. End Note.) ¶2. (C) Turning to other matters, the Ambassador noted Foreign Minister Rais Yatim's recent letter to Secretary Rice expressing interest in joining the contact group on Somali piracy; the Royal Malaysian Navy's expressed interest in joining a future coordination meeting for the Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf of Aden; and press reports of Malaysian navy action to help ward off a recent Somali pirate attack. Rastam expressed gratitude for U.S. consideration of including Malaysia in future coordination efforts related to piracy. The Ambassador highlighted the planned December 19 ceremony in Washington for the exchange of instruments to bring into force the U.S.-Malaysia Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Rastam welcomed this development and agreed the MLAT would be important for bilateral law enforcement cooperation. KEITH