Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SINGAPORE3773
2006-12-12 09:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:  

RESULTS OF BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON APPLICATION

Tags:  ETTC KOMC SN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0011
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGP #3773 3460946
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120946Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2035
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUCNFB/FBI WASHDC
RUEPINS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 003773 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTTC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SN
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON APPLICATION
05-0016466 AND LICENSES 05-954009, 05-953564, AND 05-952356

REF: A. STATE 176589


B. 04 SINGAPORE 1059

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 003773

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTTC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SN
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON APPLICATION
05-0016466 AND LICENSES 05-954009, 05-953564, AND 05-952356

REF: A. STATE 176589


B. 04 SINGAPORE 1059


1. As requested, Post made inquiries to verify the bona
fides of Link-West Pte. Ltd. and confirm the legitimacy of
the order listed Ref A.


2. Link-West Pte. Ltd. is a limited exempt private company
that has been operating in Singapore since May 13, 1999.
Singapore's online business directory, Biznet, lists the
company's principle officer as:

Name: GOH Yong Meng
Nationality: Singaporean
ID: S0007034C
Address: 409 Pasir Ris Drive 6, #03-421, Singapore, 510409


3. DHS/ICE databases revealed no negative information about
Link-West Pte. Ltd.


4. Singapore's Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA)
confirmed that Link-West was a Ministry of Defense (MOD)
contractor. A DSTA representative said that the MOD had
ordered and received the armored vehicle spare parts
described in licenses 05-952356, and 05-954009, but that DSTA
was not aware of license 05-953564. Note: 05-953564 appeared
to be a duplicate of 05-954009. End note. DSTA reported it
had one outstanding order with Link-West for five safety
switches under application 05-0016466.


5. Econoff relayed this information to PM/DTCC and noted
that the American seller, International Parts Supply (IPS)
Corporation, prepared two identical export applications and
submitted them to the Department four days apart. PM/DTCC
contacted IPS and confirmed that a duplicate license
application was erroneously prepared. IPS informed PM/DTCC
that it would return the duplicate to the Department.


6. Econoff on December 12 attempted a site visit to
Link-West at the address list Ref A. As reported Ref B,
Link-West's offices appeared to comprise a small storage
facility (locked at the time of visit) and a shared
administrative area. Econoff asked to speak with Link-West's
Managing Director, GOH Yong Meng, and was told that Goh now
worked out of his house. Econoff then contacted Goh via
telephone. Goh said that the address listed Ref A was too
large for his needs and explained that he now sublet the
space to other firms. Link-West was a one-man operation
created in 1999 to act as the Singapore representative for
Minnesota-based IPS, Goh explained. He said that Link-West
acted almost exclusively as a broker between IPS and the
Singapore Ministry of Defense (MOD),though his company
occasionally purchased items from other sources for sale to
the MOD. According to Goh, Link-West did not warehouse any
items unless they were damaged and need to be returned to the
seller. Company records were currently stored in his home
office, he said. Goh seemed to have a firm understanding of
the DOS licensing process and related restrictions on
re-transfers and re-exports.


7. In Post's assessment, Link-West appeared to be a small
but legitimate distributor of vehicle parts and accessories
with verifiable ties to the Singapore MOD.
HERBOLD