Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DILI104
2009-04-09 15:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dili
Cable title:  

TIMOR-LESTE "DEEPLY CONCERNED" BY NORTH KOREAN MISSILE

Tags:  PREL PARM KNNP KS KN JA TT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3851
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHHM
DE RUEHDT #0104 0991522
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091522Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4367
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 1273
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0999
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 1114
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 3889
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1107
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0940
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0053
UNCLAS DILI 000104 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/K

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KS KN JA TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE "DEEPLY CONCERNED" BY NORTH KOREAN MISSILE
LAUNCH

REF: STATE 33031

UNCLAS DILI 000104

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/K

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KS KN JA TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE "DEEPLY CONCERNED" BY NORTH KOREAN MISSILE
LAUNCH

REF: STATE 33031


1. (SBU) Following up on an April 8 diplomatic note to
Timor-Leste's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charge, together with
his Japanese counterpart, met April 9 with MFA Acting Secretary
General Constancio Pinto to convey our concern over North
Korea's April 5 missile launch. Drawing on reftel, we stressed
that the launch was a clear violation of UNSCR 1718. We
stressed that over the past years, the U.S., Japan, and other
countries in Northeast Asia had demonstrated commitment to a
diplomatic approach to the North Korean nuclear issue through
the Six-Party talks. A clear, firm response from other Asian
countries such as Timor-Leste would reinforce this approach, we
noted. Japanese Charge Kimura stressed that the North Korean
launch, although characterized by the DPRK as a satellite
launch, used technology that was interoperable with weapons
delivery, and had passed over Japanese territory.




2. (SBU) Pinto responded that the Timor-Leste government was
seized with the issue and would likely issue a statement today.
The GOTL, he said, was consulting with regional neighbors
Indonesia and Malaysia. He added that, as President Ramos-Horta
has pointed out, Asia is the most "nuclearized" continent on
earth, and Timor-Leste does not want a regional arms race.
Pinto also emphasized that Timor-Leste supported the Six-Party
Talks and opposed any actions disruptive to that process.




3. (U) Later on April 9, the Foreign Ministry issued the
following statement:



"The Government of Timor-Leste is deeply concerned by the
launching of a Long Range Rocket at 11:30 a.m. on April 5, 2009
at Musudan-ri North Hamyong Province of North Korea. As a
member of the United Nations and a signatory to the Treaty of
Non-Proliferation, Timor-Leste (belives) action taken by the
DPRK constitutes a threat to the regional and international
security." End GOTL statement.

RECTOR