MALAYSIA IN LISTENING MODE ON NEED TO PRESSURE IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000090 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2020 TAGS: PREL PARM PGOV IR MY IAEA SUBJECT: MALAYSIA IN LISTENING MODE ON NEED TO PRESSURE IRAN REF: A. STATE 9124 - PRESSURE TO PERSUADE IRAN ¶B. KL 80 - GOM ANNOUNCES NEW IAEA GOVERNOR Classified By: POLCOUNS Brian McFeeters for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: MFA Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation and Arms Control Shazryll Zahiran, responding to ref A points that Iran's continued non-compliance with UN and IAEA obligations regarding its nuclear program deserves the urgent attention of the international community, agreed that Iran had "never complied" with UNSCR requirements in place since 2006, especially on enrichment of uranium. At the same time, Shazryll said, the GOM had not concluded that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons program, lacking sufficient information about Iran's intentions. He noted that Malaysia's Foreign Minister had recently received an invitation to a nuclear issues summit that Iran was planning in Teheran during April 18-20; the GOM was undecided on attending. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) In reply to reftel points about the recent record of attempted negotiation with Iran and concerns about Iran's continued non-compliance with UN and IAEA requirements, MFA Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation and Arms Control Shazryll told Polcouns that he understood why negotiators might conclude that Iran was simply seeking continued delay, likening Iran to North Korea. Mentioning UNSCR resolutions on Iran including UNSCR 1696 (2006),1737 (2006),and 1747 (2007),Shazryll said that Iran had "never complied" with UNSCR resolutions, especially the repeated requirement to cease enriching uranium. Nevertheless, the GOM was not ready to conclude that Iran was determined to produce nuclear weapons, lacking sufficient information. ¶3. (C) Shazryll said he found Iran's recent behavior puzzling, but that the GOM had no dialogue with Iran on nuclear issues, so he could offer no insights. The GOM sought occasions in international fora to remind Iran to comply with IAEA safeguards and UN requirements, but it was a "one way" conversation because Iranian officials never replied. The GOM would continue to try to persuade Iran to comply with existing requirements at the IAEA, Shazryll added, expressing GOM appreciation for the USG supporting its new Governor to the IAEA, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Bin Yaakob, in his bid to become IAEA Board of Governors Chair (ref B). ¶4. (C) Shazryll mentioned that Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had received an invitation to attend Iran's leaders' summit on nuclear issues just after the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Washington, DC; expected dates were April 18-20. He noted that the initial Iranian trial balloon was to hold the conference at the same time as the NSS, but a number of countries had dissuaded Iran from that idea. The GOM had not yet decided on whether to attend and, if so, at what level. KEITH