MALAYSIA'S INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR CONFERENCE AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000489 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2019 TAGS: ENRG IR KNNP MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA'S INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR CONFERENCE AND IRANIAN PARTICIPATION REF: KUALA LUMPUR 484 Classified By: CDA Robert Rapson, reason 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (SBU) The Nuklear Malaysia (Note: formerly known as the Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology or MINT. End note.),the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI),the Malaysian Nuklear Society, and the Malaysian Radiation Protection Association are hosting the International Nuclear Conference '09 (INC09) in Kuala Lumpur from June 29 to July 1. About 300 participants are expected. The conference appears to be highly technical in nature with the stated goal of sharing the complexities of nuclear power with "new comers" while providing an opportunity for networking to those already in the field. The conference agenda is available at http://online.nuclearmalaysia.gov.my/sems/inc 09 . ¶2. (SBU) There appears to be substantial Iranian interest and participation in the conference. Nuklear Malaysia's web site lists more than 80 separate presentations with associated abstracts that participants will deliver at the conference. More than 20 of the abstracts are from Iranian researchers and institutions. Two of these presentations are from the Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran, which some internet sources list as an affiliate or subsidiary of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), an entity subject to UNSC sanctions. ¶3. (C) Charge d'affairs raised the issue of Iranian participation at INC09 with Foreign Ministry Acting Secretary General Zainol Abidin on June 9 (reftel). Zainol said he was aware of Iranian participation in INC09, which Malaysia viewed as a useful forum to exchange information on peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Zainol said there should not be limits on a country's peaceful use of nuclear technology as long as it abides by international rules, and emphasized Malaysia's "straightforward" support of total nuclear disarmament. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for the Disarmament and Weapon Division Bala Chandra Tharman also mentioned this conference to the Italian ambassador to Malaysia on June 4 as an example of Malaysia's openness with regard to nuclear issues and IAEA cooperation. ¶4. (SBU) Prime Minister Najib is scheduled to open the event. Dr. Edward McGuinnis of the U.S. Department of Energy will deliver one of the plenary speeches and USG contractors from the National Nuclear Security Administration have informed post of their plans to join the conference. In addition, U.S.-based academics and industry groups may also participate according to the event's website. The IAEA will also participate with representatives delivering one of the keynote addresses and leading several of the breakout sessions. Presenters from a variety of countries including Malaysia, Egypt, Pakistan, Japan, India, and Brazil will also attend. However, Iran is by far the most represented country among the various international presenters and speakers. RAPSON