INTERAGENCY UNSCR 1874 POLITICAL MEETINGS WITH

S E C R E T KUALA LUMPUR 000537 SIPDIS FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, AND INR E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2034 TAGS: ECON KN KNNP MNUC MY PARM PGOV PREL SUBJECT: INTERAGENCY UNSCR 1874 POLITICAL MEETINGS WITH MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS Classified By: DCM Rob Rapson. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (S) In July 6 meetings with senior officials at the Malaysian Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office, UNSCR 1874 Implementation Coordinator Goldberg stressed Malaysia's developing partnership with the U.S., its prominent role in ASEAN, and the GOM's expertise on international financial issues as primary motivations for his visit to Kuala Lumpur to consult on resolution implementation issues. Ambassador Goldberg said UNSCR 1874 had heightened the international community's ability to use inspections and financial measures to spotlight Pyongyang's activities and send a strong message to North Korea. Goldberg emphasized that the 1874 resolution must be implemented to create momentum for a return to Six Party talks without preconditions. The Malaysian officials reiterated the GOM's commitment to fulfill its obligations in the UN, including complying with UNSC resolutions. They emphasized their country's long support for NPT and nuclear disarmament and underlined Prime Minister Najib's commitment, in his June 26 phone conversation with President Obama, to cooperate with the U.S. and international community in implementing UNSCR ¶1874. They welcomed the exchange of information and encouraged the US to provide specific information of possible links between Malaysian institutions and North Korean entities proscribed by the Security Council. Ambassador Goldberg's meetings at the Central Bank and Finance Ministry are being reported septel. End Summary. ¶2. (S) Ambassador Goldberg, accompanied by Ambassador Keith, Treasury DAS Glaser, NSC Director for Nonproliferation Lutes, DNI representative Seiler, Treasury Assistant Director Fowler, and acting Polcouns (notetaker),met on July 6 with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Kamal Bin Yahya. Outlining the purpose of his delegation's mission to Malaysia, Goldberg noted that he was following up on the successful June 26 phone call between President Obama and Prime Minister Najib. He cited Malaysia's role in ASEAN, expertise on international financial issues and a developing partnership with the U.S. as primary motivations for visiting Kuala Lumpur to consult on UNSCR 1874 implementation. Goldberg said UNSC Resolution 1874 had heightened the ;international community,s ability to utilize inspections and financial measures to shed light on Pyongyang's activities and send a strong message to North Korea. Due to concern about humanitarian issues and stability, some countries had decided that previous resolutions gave North Korea the benefit of the doubt. Given its recent behavior, however, now the burden of proof was on North Korea to demonstrate compliance with the resolution and act transparently. Goldberg strongly emphasized that resolution 1874 must be fully implemented to create momentum for a return to Six Party talks without preconditions. He added that the overall goal of the UN resolutions was not to punish or target the North Korean people but to convince the North Korean authorities to resume dialogue and return to the original objectives of non-proliferation and denuclearization. ¶3. (S) Asserting that "we are one on this," Kamal noted PM Najib's strong statement of condemnation of North Korea's May 25 nuclear test, and pointed out that Malaysia had used stronger language on North Korea than ASEAN as a whole. He cited Malaysia's longstanding support for NPT and disarmament issues. Kamal said Najib planned to use a meeting with the North Koreans at the upcoming NAM meeting in Egypt to reiterate the GOM's concerns about recent North Korean actions. Goldberg expressed strong concern with Burma's lack of transparency, noting that North Korea has frequently used Burma as a transit and delivery point for suspect cargoes. Citing the turning around of the North Korean ship Kang Nam I as a sign that coordinated action can work, Goldberg stressed the crucial need for ASEAN countries to practice collective diplomacy in persuading Burma to abide by the UNSCRs. ¶4. (S) Ambassador Goldberg urged that Malaysia finalize, pass, and implement a robust export control law. He added that the U.S. was prepared to provide technical assistance to assist with the law and its implementation. Kamal said that work on the law was "progressing" under the direction of an interagency committee chaired by MFA, and noted that the U.K. also had offered assistance. Goldberg noted Special Advisor Robert Einhorn hoped to visit soon to discuss a broader range of nonproliferation issues, including the export control law. ¶5. (S) In a subsequent meeting with Ambassador Goldberg, MFA Deputy Secretary General II Zainol Abidin Omar reiterated the GOM's commitment to "strictly" implementing all UN resolutions. Zainol, who was joined at the meeting by several MFA division heads, stressed the importance of information sharing, given that Malaysian authorities were not always aware of possible violations involving local entities. He urged the U.S. to share available information which the Malaysians, in turn, would authenticate, investigate, and take necessary action as appropriate. Zainol noted that the MFA, as the chair of the national committee for non-proliferation, was the focal point for all Resolution 1718 and 1974 issues. Goldberg provided assurances that the U.S. would provide whatever information possible, but again stressed that the ground had shifted and that we must send the message to North Korea that all its activities would be under increased scrutiny. Goldberg added that the U.S. shared the GOM goals of pursuing both non-proliferation and denuclearization objectives, which were important elements of President Obama's arms control agenda. Goldberg shared the cleared IC points with Zainol. ¶6. (S) Zainol said that the GOM was encouraged by the new U.S. administration,s willingness to engage in dialogue, even with enemies. Goldberg stressed that for such dialogue to work, it had to be reciprocated. Goldberg asked Zainol if the GOM was internally discussing possible responses to Resolution 1874 issues that may arise, such as the bunkering of ships. Zainol said GOM agencies were now in the process of formulating a position on the implementation of Resolution ¶1874. ¶7. (SBU) (Note: Ambassador Goldberg,s separate meetings with the Central Bank and Finance Ministry are being reported septel. The visit attracted considerable international and local press attention. A transcript of Ambassador Goldberg's press conference at the conclusion of his program has been forwarded to EAP. End Note.) ¶8. (SBU) Ambassador Goldberg reviewed and cleared this message. KEITH