Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR42
2008-01-15 08:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
IRAN SANCTIONS ACT: MALAYSIA RECEIVES USG MESSAGE
how-toVZCZCXRO2176 PP RUEHBC RUEHCHI RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHKUK RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0042 0150835 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 150835Z JAN 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0460 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000042
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018
TAGS: PREL ETTC EPET ENRG IR MY
SUBJECT: IRAN SANCTIONS ACT: MALAYSIA RECEIVES USG MESSAGE
ON SKS INVESTMENT
REF: A. 07 STATE 171189
B. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 618
C. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 61
Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reason 1.4 (b and
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000042
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018
TAGS: PREL ETTC EPET ENRG IR MY
SUBJECT: IRAN SANCTIONS ACT: MALAYSIA RECEIVES USG MESSAGE
ON SKS INVESTMENT
REF: A. 07 STATE 171189
B. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 618
C. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 61
Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reason 1.4 (b and
d).
1. (C) Political Section Chief on January 15 delivered ref A
demarche, concerning the Malaysian group SKS's reported $16
billion agreement to develop Iran's Golshan and Ferdows gas
fields, to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry's Under Secretary
for Disarmament Bala Chandran Tharman, who also is acting
Under Secretary for UN and Multilateral Political Affairs.
Polchief emphasized the need to avoid actions that undermine
diplomatic pressure on Iran to comply with UNSC and IAEA
requirements, and recalled the Embassy's earlier demarches
(refs B, C) regarding the SKS deal with Iran. Bala Chandran
acknowledged the news of SKS's investment decision, and
stated that Malaysia's position had not changed. UN
sanctions did not cover investments in Iran's oil and gas
sector, and companies from many nations were engaged in such
business with Iran. The Malaysian government had no basis to
intervene or prevent Malaysian firms from reaching these
business deals in Iran. Likewise, the Foreign Ministry would
not assist in arranging a meeting with SKS; the Embassy
should contact the company directly, and SKS would decide
whether to meet with U.S. officials. Bala Chandran added
that he thought SKS was well aware of U.S. sanctions laws,
including the Iran Sanctions Act.
2. (SBU) Econ Counselor delivered the same demarche on
January 15 to Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob, the Director General of
the Prime Minister's Economic Planning Unit (EPU),which has
oversight responsibility for energy sector issues in
Malaysia. Dr. Sulaiman understood our points, but said that
he had no further information regarding SKS's reported deal
with Iran and did not see a role for his office in this
matter. He referred us to the Foreign Ministry.
KEITH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018
TAGS: PREL ETTC EPET ENRG IR MY
SUBJECT: IRAN SANCTIONS ACT: MALAYSIA RECEIVES USG MESSAGE
ON SKS INVESTMENT
REF: A. 07 STATE 171189
B. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 618
C. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 61
Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reason 1.4 (b and
d).
1. (C) Political Section Chief on January 15 delivered ref A
demarche, concerning the Malaysian group SKS's reported $16
billion agreement to develop Iran's Golshan and Ferdows gas
fields, to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry's Under Secretary
for Disarmament Bala Chandran Tharman, who also is acting
Under Secretary for UN and Multilateral Political Affairs.
Polchief emphasized the need to avoid actions that undermine
diplomatic pressure on Iran to comply with UNSC and IAEA
requirements, and recalled the Embassy's earlier demarches
(refs B, C) regarding the SKS deal with Iran. Bala Chandran
acknowledged the news of SKS's investment decision, and
stated that Malaysia's position had not changed. UN
sanctions did not cover investments in Iran's oil and gas
sector, and companies from many nations were engaged in such
business with Iran. The Malaysian government had no basis to
intervene or prevent Malaysian firms from reaching these
business deals in Iran. Likewise, the Foreign Ministry would
not assist in arranging a meeting with SKS; the Embassy
should contact the company directly, and SKS would decide
whether to meet with U.S. officials. Bala Chandran added
that he thought SKS was well aware of U.S. sanctions laws,
including the Iran Sanctions Act.
2. (SBU) Econ Counselor delivered the same demarche on
January 15 to Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob, the Director General of
the Prime Minister's Economic Planning Unit (EPU),which has
oversight responsibility for energy sector issues in
Malaysia. Dr. Sulaiman understood our points, but said that
he had no further information regarding SKS's reported deal
with Iran and did not see a role for his office in this
matter. He referred us to the Foreign Ministry.
KEITH