GAZA: PM ABDULLAH CONVOKES UNSC AMBASSADORS, CALLS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000016 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019 TAGS: PREL KISL KPAL UNSC UNGA IS MY SUBJECT: GAZA: PM ABDULLAH CONVOKES UNSC AMBASSADORS, CALLS FOR UN PEACEKEEPERS REF: KUALA LUMPUR 12 -- GAZA REACTION Classified By: Ambassador James R. Keith, reason 1.4 (b and d). Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (C) Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi convoked Ambassador Keith and other chiefs of mission from UNSC member countries on January 12 and personally conveyed his written message on the Gaza crisis, which is addressed to respective heads of state. PM Abdullah, flanked by Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, emphasized Malaysia's call for UN peacekeepers to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza, while the letter also condemns "Israeli aggression" and "war crimes." Ambassador Keith noted U.S. support for the goals of UNSCR 1860 and the Egyptian-led mediation efforts. The Prime Minister invited diplomats to attend a special session of Parliament later on January 12 convened to pass a motion on the Gaza crisis (and expected by our contacts to feature heavy anti-U.S. sentiment). In a pull-aside, Abdullah also asked the Ambassador to pass his personal best wishes to President Bush. The text of the Prime Minster's letter to the President is included below. ¶2. (C) Comment: The Prime Minister's presentation on Gaza was measured in tone, non-polemic, and devoid of anti-U.S. remarks. Abdullah chose to emphasize his desire to establish a peacekeeping mission as an implementing mechanism to preclude Israeli disregard of UNSCR provisions. The Prime Minister's private approach contrasts with the heated public rhetoric employed by FM Rais Yatim, other senior Malaysian officials, and state-dominated media with the stated aim of fostering public outrage against Israel and the United States. Such rhetoric will be on display again in today's special Parliament session. End Comment. Abdullah's Letter Calls for UN Peacekeepers -------------- ¶3. (C) Prime Minister Abdullah convoked Ambassador Keith and other chiefs of mission from UNSC member countries to the Foreign Ministry on January 12 in order to personally convey his written message on the Gaza crisis, which is addressed to respective heads of state. Flanked by Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and other senior officials, PM Abdullah began his remarks by emphasizing that his primary message to UNSC members is a call for UN peacekeepers to enforce a future ceasefire. PM Abdullah then proceeded to read the text of his letter to heads of state (identical substantive text addressed to all UNSC members),which condemns Israeli aggression, notes that UNSC Resolution 1860 has not stopped the violence in Gaza, and concludes by calling for a future UNSC resolution to "include the immediate establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Gaza to enforce the ceasefire and prevent the outbreak of new hostilities." (Note: Full text included below, and copy of letter addressed to POTUS emailed to EAP/MTS. Original is being pouched to EAP/MTS. End Note.) ¶4. (C) A short discussion followed PM Abdullah's presentation of the Gaza letter. Ambassador Keith noted U.S. support for the drafters and goals of UNSCR 1860 and our strong support for the Egyptian-led mediation efforts. The French envoy spoke about Egyptian negotiations and efforts underway to open up humanitarian access in Gaza. PM Abdullah said that Malaysia wanted humanitarian goods, not military items, to reach Gaza, and noted the local NGO Mercy Malaysia experienced difficulty in securing access to Gaza. The British envoy read out a recent UK ministerial statement. The Russian ambassador said his country shared Malaysia's views and would remain actively engaged in the Quartet. Invitation to Special Session of Parliament -------------- ¶5. (C) The Prime Minister invited embassies to attend a special session of Parliament later on January 12 convened to discuss and pass a motion on the Gaza crisis. (Note: According to press reports and parliamentary contacts, the proposed resolution will condemn Israel and the U.S., urge the UNSC to compel Israel to stop military action, and support a continuation of peace negotiations. Embassy will send an observer to the session and report septel. End Note.) KUALA LUMP 00000016 002 OF 003 Abdullah Expresses Personal Best Wishes to POTUS -------------- --- ¶6. (C) In a brief pull-aside following the formal meeting, PM Abdullah made a point of asking Ambassador Keith to convey his personal best wishes to President Bush, and the Ambassador pledged to do so. The Ambassador took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of Malaysia supporting international efforts over the medium and longer term to secure a peace process that could produce lasting security for the Israeli and Palestinian people. (Note: Malaysia attended the November 2007 Annapolis conference. End Note.) FM Rais: Malaysian Reaction "Quite Strong" -------------- ¶7. (C) Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, who was largely silent during the Prime Minister's presentation, remarked afterward to the Ambassador that public reaction to the fighting in Gaza is "quite strong," but he did not share any further comments. (Comment: FM Rais has taken an active role in focusing public criticism on the U.S. in the context of Gaza. End Comment.) Text of Letter -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Below is the text of Prime Minister Abdullah's letter to President Bush dated January 10: Excellency, I appreciate the role played by the United States of America which enabled the United Nations Security Council to meet and adopt Resolution 1860 (2009) on 8 January 2009 to address the grave situation in Gaza. However, as Your Excellency is aware, UNSC Resolution 1860 (2009) did not have the desired effect of putting a stop to the killing and destruction taking place in Gaza. The call by the Security Council for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza has not been heeded. I fear that the situation in Gaza will only get worse. There is no let up in the Israeli aggression against Gaza. There is no respite to the killings of humans and destruction of properties. The blockade against Gaza continues to prevent the delivery of food and medicine to relieve the sufferings of the people. These are clear violations of human rights. In fact, war crimes are being committed. It is dishonourable for the United Nations Security Council to allow its resolutions to be ignored with impunity. We all know that the main weakness of UNSC Resolution 1860 (2009) is the absence of any provision in the resolution for implementing mechanism such as the establishment of an international monitoring team or a United Nations Peacekeeping Force which can enforce the ceasefire and prevent the outbreak of new hostilities. In view of the latest developments, I would like to seek Your Excellency's personal intervention with members of the Security Council and with the leaders of the concerned parties to demand an immediate cessation of violence and that they work to re-establish stability in Gaza. I would also like to urge you, Mr. President, to continue to exercise the desired leadership and enable the necessary resolution to be adopted in the Security Council which should include the immediate establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Gaza to enforce the ceasefire and prevent the outbreak of new hostilities. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. (signed) ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI 10 January 2009 (End text) KUALA LUMP 00000016 003 OF 003 KEITH