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
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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