Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR976
2008-11-04 09:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
MALAYSIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO2490 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0976 3090958 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040958Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1917 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0098 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0001 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0025
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).
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
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