(S/NF) SINGAPORE DETAINS PRECISION LATHES SHIPMENT

S E C R E T SINGAPORE 003849 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2016 TAGS: ETTC MNUC MTCRE PARM PREL SN SUBJECT: (S/NF) SINGAPORE DETAINS PRECISION LATHES SHIPMENT REF: FORSYTH-REED E-MAIL 12/19/2006 Classified By: E/P Counselor for reasons 1.4(c) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S/NF) Michelle Teo-Jacob, Assistant Director of MFA's International Organizations Directorate, on December 22 requested a meeting to inform E/P Counselor and Econoff that the GOS had on or around December 16 detained a shipment of precision lathes and accessories bound for the Rangoon, Burma office of North Korea,s Korea Mining Development Corporation (ref e-mail). The GOS had taken this action in response to a USG request conveyed through separate channels on December ¶16. According to Teo-Jacob, the GOS was now assessing possible end uses for the items in question and had requested more information from the USG. Teo-Jacob said she wished to ensure that the Embassy was aware that the GOS had received the request and had taken action. ¶3. (S/NF) E/P Counselor thanked Teo-Jacob for the GOS's quick response and told her that he was aware of the situation and that the country team was coordinating closely on the issue. ¶4. (S/NF) Action request: The GOS has acted swiftly on our recent requests to intercept shipments of concern and to investigate local companies that may be involved in proliferation activities. In each case, the GOS has requested further information in hopes of being able to legally defend its actions. To ensure successful outcomes of this and other pending cases, post requests that Washington respond to GOS requests for information and technical assistance as quickly and completely as possible. End comment. HERBOLD