FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH AND AMBASSADOR ENDORSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000351 SIPDIS FOR EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2019 TAGS: PREL MARR ECON SENV KNNP IR PK AF MY SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH AND AMBASSADOR ENDORSE STRENGTHENED BILATERAL TIES Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Rapson, reasons 1.4 (b an d d). Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (C) Malaysia's new Foreign Minister Anifah Aman endorsed strengthened relations with the U.S. during the Ambassador's May 11 introductory call, which precedes Anifah's travel to Washington and May 14 meeting with Secretary Clinton. The Minister called for increased and institutionalized official engagement with the U.S., including reactivation of a bilateral senior official dialogue. Anifah said that Malaysia would like to help international anti-piracy efforts by sharing its experiences in the Strait of Malacca. Malaysia was open to assisting Afghanistan through some training programs for officials. The Ambassador reviewed other priorities in U.S. foreign policy, including Iran and nonproliferation. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of enforcement of UNSC sanctions on Iran to support stepped up diplomatic engagement; the need for scrutiny of Iranian financial institutions like Bank Mellat; and the necessity of Malaysia finalizing its export control law in order to meet UN obligations. The Ambassador urged Malaysia's support for the Japanese candidate for IAEA Director General; the Minister was non-committal. Anifah said continuous engagement was needed with the Burmese regime to move them in the right direction. The Minister and Ambassador noted shared environmental priorities and the importance of people-to-people ties. The Minister spoke with the press following the meeting, touching on anti-piracy, Afghanistan, the senior official dialogue and pending bilateral free trade talks as issues he was prepared to discuss with the Secretary. ¶2. (C) Comment: Anifah's positive comments on strengthening U.S.-Malaysia ties, and his willingness to discuss Malaysia's role in meeting some current international challenges like piracy and Afghanistan, stand in sharp contrast to the inattentive and sometimes hostile approach of his predecessor Rais Yatim under former Prime Minister Abdullah. At the very least, Anifah's initial meeting with the Ambassador set the tone for better dialogue and signaled that we may have improved prospects for identifying and working on shared foreign policy priorities. The Najib Administration clearly sees Minister Anifah's upcoming meeting with the Secretary as an important event, and is seeking the best possible public exposure. End Summary and Comment. Minister Seeks More Official Engagement, Secretary's Visit -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador paid an introductory call on Malaysia's new Foreign Minister Anifah Aman on May 11, ahead of the Minister's travel to Washington and May 14 meeting with Secretary Clinton. The discussion lasted 25 minutes. Senior Under Secretary (Americas) Wan Napsiah, Political Secretary Norhaidi Che Dan, and the Minister's Private Secretary Anthony "Melvin" Castellino attended the meeting. Polcouns attended as notetaker. The Foreign Minister began the discussion by endorsing "more official engagement" between the two countries. He called for a reactivation of the U.S.-Malaysia senior strategic dialogue (originally held in May 2006 at the A/S level; though envisioned as an annual meeting, we have not yet held another round). The Foreign Minister said the Secretary's travel to the region sends a very important signal, and he hoped that during her July trip for the ASEAN meetings she would stop in Malaysia, where she is very well known and "very popular." Malaysia to Share Anti-Piracy Experience -------------- ¶4. (C) The Foreign Minister noted that the issue of combating piracy arose during his telephone conversation with the Secretary, and that Malaysia wishes to share its experiences with the U.S. and others from its anti-piracy efforts in the Strait of Malacca (see also the Minister's public comments below). The Ambassador reinforced U.S. support for Malaysia joining the Somalia anti-piracy Contact Group. More Training for Afghan Officials Possible -------------- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador raised the urgency of stabilizing the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and said Malaysia could play a helpful role. Minister Anifah agreed and said KUALA LUMP 00000351 002 OF 003 Malaysia would look at technical training programs for Afghan officials (which have been carried out on a small scale in the past in Malaysia, not in Afghanistan; see also press comments below). Ambassador Raises Iran, Nonproliferation Obligations -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador reviewed other current priorities in U.S. foreign policy of particular importance to Malaysia, including Iran and nonproliferation. The Ambassador emphasized that international enforcement of UNSC sanctions on Iran would be critical to the stepped up diplomatic engagement of the U.S., EU countries and UN. The Minister said the Malaysia and the U.S. shared the same position, namely that Iran has a right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, but its program should be verified by the IAEA. The Ambassador urged Malaysia's finalization and passage of export control legislation as soon as possible so that Malaysia can meet its international nonproliferation obligations. He also asked the Minister to examine issues like Iran's request to open a branch of Bank Mellat in Malaysia against the metric of international standards and concerns. The Ambassador requested Malaysia's support for the Japanese candidate for IAEA Director General; the Minister noted Malaysia had dropped the notion of its own candidate, but he did not indicate who Malaysia would support (see septel). The Ambassador signaled that the 2010 NPT review conference would be a major focus of U.S. and world attention. ASEAN, Burma -------------- ¶7. (C) Within the region, the Ambassador said we valued Malaysia's views on ASEAN, and welcomed focus on improving the situation in Burma, which currently is creating burdens for the region through refugee flows. A failed state in Burma would pose a threat to the region, the Ambassador emphasized. Anifah agreed on the seriousness of the problem, and said the situation called for continuous engagement with the Burmese government. (Note: We have been in contact separately with the Ministry to urge Malaysia's support for Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest. End Note.) Environment -------------- ¶8. (C) The Ambassador raised environmental issues, and Malaysia' relevance, noting U.S. support for the Heart of Borneo rainforest program and the Coral Triangle Initiative. Anifah stated that Prime Minister Najib may attend the World Oceans Conference later this week in Indonesia. People-to-People Ties -------------- ¶9. (C) Minister Anifah noted Malaysians' detailed attention to the U.S. 2008 elections and the work of the Obama Administration, and he and the Ambassador agreed on the importance of our people-to-people ties. Anifah referenced the large number of Malaysians who studied at U.S. universities, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, and also the lasting impact of the U.S. Peace Corps in Malaysia, recalling fondly that his first English teacher was a Peace Corps volunteer. The Ambassador remarked that he had just participated in the official opening of the American studies center at the National University of Malaysia. He noted that the Embassy actively encouraged Malaysian students to pursue studies in the United States. Immediate Press Coverage -------------- ¶10. (SBU) As an aside, Private Secretary Castellino told us the Minister had agreed to the Department's proposal for joint press availability after the May 14 meeting with the Secretary. Many photo journalists documented the Ambassador's arrival at the Minister's office. Minister Anifah spoke to local press immediately following the meeting with the Ambassador and coverage appeared on-line within hours. The Minister highlighted to reporters his intention to discuss anti-piracy efforts with the Secretary, reportedly stating that "we can help if our assistance is called for." Anifah also noted he would address issues related to Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East. "We have yet to determine what role Kuala Lumpur can play to resolve issues KUALA LUMP 00000351 003 OF 003 in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but we are willing to have a go at it," the Minister told reporters. In addition, Anifah commented on the need to reactivate senior official dialogue with counterparts in Washington, and his intention to raise the pending bilateral free trade talks with the Secretary. KEITH