RESULTS OF BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON LICENSE 05-974166

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 003095 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/DTTC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC ETRD SN SUBJECT: RESULTS OF BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON LICENSE 05-974166 REF: STATE 125494 ¶1. Per reftel, Post conducted inquiries to verify the bona fides of SF Aviation and confirm MOD's receipt and continued possession of listed spare parts. ¶2. SF Aviation is a sole proprietorship that has been operating in Singapore since January 14, 2005. Singapore's online business directory, Biznet, lists the company's principle officer as: Name: Nam Kwong Wing, aka John Nam Nationality: Singaporean ID: S00222871 Address: 850 Woodlands Street 82, #02-219, Singapore, 730850 ¶3. DHS/ICE databases revealed no negative information about SF Aviation. ¶4. An MOD representative informed the Embassy via e-mail that MOD had never dealt with a company called SF Aviation. The representative said MOD had ordered and received the parts from a company called Siew Fatt Hardware Engineering, and noted Siew Fatt is registered at the same address as SF Aviation. The MOD representative confirmed that reftel listed spare parts are still in MOD's possession. MOD was not in a good position to comment on Siew Fatt's standing as an USML importer because MOD has had only limited dealings with that company, he said. ¶5. Econoff on August 20 attempted to visit SF Aviation at reftel listed address. That address is now occupied by another business. Econoff then contacted SF Aviation's John Nam via telephone. Nam explained that the company was currently in the process of relocating its offices. When asked, Nam explained that SF Aviation was a subsidiary of Siew Fatt Hardware Engineering. SF Aviation dealt exclusively in aerospace products and the Singapore MOD was its only customer, according to Nam. He said he had personally been importing USML items for more than 30 years and had a good understanding of USG restrictions on re-exporting these items. ¶6. Nam seemed knowledgeable and was forthcoming when he answered questions about this transaction. However, Econoff was unable to ascertain whether SF Aviation or Siew Fatt Hardware Engineering was an active, legitimate company and a responsible broker for USML items. HERBOLD