MALAYSIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000976 SIPDIS FOR EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2013 TAGS: PREL PGOV KV YI MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 224 - NOT READY TO RECOGNIZE ¶B. KUALA LUMPUR 122 - TIMING OF RECOGNITION AN ISSUE ¶C. KUALA LUMPUR 111 - GOM "WELCOMES" INDEPENDENCE ¶D. KUALA LUMPUR 92 - UNDECIDED ON TIMING RECOGNITION ¶E. KUALA LUMPUR 40 - MALAYSIA SYMPATHETIC TO KOSOVO Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (SBU) The Malaysian government acted on long-standing sympathy toward Kosovo (reftels) by recognizing Kosovo's independence on October 31. The Serbian government reacted immediately, declaring Malaysia Ambassador to Serbia, Saw Ching Hong, persona non grata. Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told journalists, "Malaysia should not be concerned" by Serbia's expulsion of the envoy, as there were few Malaysian business representatives and students in Serbia and that Serbia does not maintain a diplomatic mission in Malaysia. Rais added that Malaysia's recognition of Kosovo "is not what they (Serbia) wanted, but our stance will not change. We cannot be wavering in our stand because we have a policy to recognize any country that is friendly to us." On November 3, Poloff spoke with Mohamad Farisal, Principal Assistant Secretary for Europe and Central Asia in the Foreign Ministry, who confirmed the diplomatic situation. Farisal said Malaysia is still reviewing what level of diplomatic presence it will maintain in Kosovo. ¶2. (C) Comment: Foreign Ministry officials previously suggested to Polcouns that Malaysia would wait until an Arab nation, such as Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE),recognized Kosovo before moving forward with its own recognition. We understand that the UAE recognized Kosovo's independence on October 14. KEITH