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OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
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O 100929Z OCT 06
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7708
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 2206
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 1497
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0985
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 001884 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2026 
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KN MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA "DEPLORES" NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR TEST, 
FALLS SHORT OF ENDORSING UNSC ACTION 
 
REF: STATE 169418 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. David B. Shear, reasons 1.4 (b an 
d d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (S) Malaysian Foreign Minister Hamid reacted initially to 
the October 9 North Korean nuclear test announcement by 
calling for North Korea to halt its tests and return to the 
Six-Party Talks.  Kuala Lumpur toughened its rhetoric 
somewhat on October 10 with the release of a Foreign Ministry 
statement in which Malaysia "deplores" North Korea's action, 
but which fell short of endorsing or mentioning tough UNSC 
measures.  Charge and Polcouns delivered reftel demarche in 
separate discussions with the Foreign Ministry and urged 
Malaysia to take defensive measures against any North Korean 
proliferation activities.  A senior Foreign Ministry official 
told us Malaysia would not endorse calls for sanctions, but 
it would abide by any UNSC sanctions resolution.  The 
official implied that Malaysia needed convincing evidence in 
order to take action against suspected North Korean 
proliferation.  The Foreign Minister met with the North 
Korean ambassador October 10, reportedly delivering a "clear 
and strong view" opposing Pyongyang's actions.  Malaysia has 
cleared on an ASEAN statement due out October 10.  End 
Summary. 
 
Press Reports Foreign Minister's Initial Reaction 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, 
reacting on October 9 to news of the North Korean nuclear 
test, told reporters that, "I hope North Korea will stop its 
nuclear tests and will not take action that can jeopardize 
the long-term interest for a peaceful and stable region." 
According to the state news agency Bernama, Hamid described 
financial sanctions as North Korea's rationale for the 
nuclear test, as North Korea felt the need to protect itself. 
 However, "If everyone talks about self-preservation through 
nuclear means, the world will be destroyed in no time.  That 
is why Malaysia feels the urgent need to resuscitate the 
Six-Party Talks."  Asked whether Malaysia would back 
sanctions against North Korea, Hamid replied that sanctions 
would not help North Koreans who have suffered for lack of 
food, medicine and energy.  Hamid's comments came after he 
met with visiting EC Commissioner for External Relations 
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, but their meeting did not address 
North Korea, a according to a participant whom we contacted. 
 
Official Statement Stronger 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Malaysia toughened its rhetoric somewhat on October 
10 with the Foreign Ministry's issuance of a press release in 
which Malaysia "deplores" North Korea's nuclear test and 
calls for North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks.  The 
statement fell short of referencing or endorsing UNSC 
discussions or Chapter VII options.  The full text of 
Malaysia's statement is repeated below: 
 
  "Malaysia deplores the nuclear test which the DPRK claimed 
it had conducted on 9 October 2006.  Malaysia believes that 
the test is a serious setback to efforts aimed at keeping the 
region and the world free from nuclear weapons.  It could 
also trigger an arms race in the region.  Therefore, Malaysia 
calls on the DPRK to cease developing its capability to 
produce nuclear weapons and return to the moratorium on 
nuclear testing. 
 
  "Malaysia strongly believes that the continued existence of 
nuclear weapons presents a grave threat to humanity, 
particularly by increasing the risk of proliferation. 
Malaysia, therefore, reiterates the importance of achieving 
the universal goal of complete and general disarmament. 
 
  "Malaysia urges all countries in the region to exercise 
maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could further 
heighten tension in the region.  In this context, Malaysia 
further urges all parties concerned to return to the 
Six-Party Talks and resume negotiations with a view to 
resolve all outstanding issues amicably." 
 
KUALA LUMP 00001884  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Demarche on Foreign Ministry 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) On October 10, Charge called on Foreign Ministry 
Acting Under Secretary for the Americas Azlan Man, delivered 
reftel points, and urged Malaysia to take a stand in support 
of firm UNSC action.  Noting Malaysia's October 9-10 public 
stance, Charge called for Kuala Lumpur to continue to 
denounce North Korea's actions in subsequent statements.  He 
also called on Malaysia to freeze any assets and transactions 
involving North Korean proliferation activities.  Azlan 
agreed on the danger posed by North Korea's actions and 
pointed out that the statement released by the Ministry was 
stronger than the way in which the press reported the Foreign 
Minister's initial remarks.  Azlan added that Malaysia was 
seeking further scientific verification of the nuclear test 
from the CTBT center in Vienna. 
 
¶5.  (S) Polcouns spoke October 10 with Under Secretary for 
Multilateral Political Affairs Shahrul Ikram, conveyed reftel 
points, and asked for Malaysia's support for a Chapter VII 
UNSC resolution and defensive measures against Korean 
proliferation activities.  Shahrul referred to the Foreign 
Minister's statements and said Malaysia looked in particular 
to China to lead efforts to get Pyongyang back to the 
negotiating table.  He added that that Malaysia had long 
supported universal nuclear disarmament, not just on the 
Korean peninsula.  Shahrul said Malaysia as a matter of 
principle generally opposed sanctions and viewed such 
measures as a "very last resort."  Malaysia would not call 
for sanctions against North Korea, but would abide by any 
UNSC sanctions resolution.  Malaysia would take measures 
against any North Korean proliferation moves that fell within 
its jurisdiction in line with Malaysia's international 
commitments, Shahrul explained, but that in some past cases 
the GOM had not been convinced by U.S. in 
formation regarding North Korean activities. 
 
Foreign Minister Meets North Korean Ambassador 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶6.  (S) Shahrul informed Polcouns that Foreign Minister Hamid 
had met with the North Korean ambassador earlier on October 
10 and "expressed Malaysia's clear and strong view" that 
North Korea must stop its nuclear tests and return to 
negotiations.  (Note:  The Foreign Minister did not summon 
the North Korean ambassador, but had responded to the 
ambassador's outstanding request for a meeting.  End Note.) 
Hamid reportedly told the North Korean ambassador that 
Pyongyang's actions had put Malaysia in a difficult 
diplomatic position.  Shahrul, who joined the meeting, 
described the North Korean ambassador's attitude as defiant, 
unconcerned by international reaction, and unafraid of 
further isolation.  Shahrul commented that Malaysia 
anticipates North Korea in the end will not yield to 
international pressure. 
 
ASEAN Statement In Process 
-------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) Shahrul informed Polcouns that ASEAN members had 
coordinated on a statement, drafted by Manila, which the 
Philippines would release possibly later on October 10 in New 
York.  Malaysia already had cleared on the draft. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8.  (S) Malaysia recognizes the serious nature of North 
Korea's actions and the Foreign Ministry has issued an 
uncharacteristically strong condemnation of a fellow Asian 
country.  It seems clear that Malaysia will not join the 
sanctions bandwagon, but will follow a UNSC decision.  Future 
calls for specific Malaysian actions against North Korean 
proliferation activities will benefit from compelling 
evidence that we can share with the GOM. 
SHEAR