NOTIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST TARGET AIRFREIGHT

S E C R E T KUALA LUMPUR 000044 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR ISN AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2032 TAGS: PARM PREL MTCRE MNUC ETTC MY SUBJECT: NOTIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST TARGET AIRFREIGHT REF: 06 STATE 203597 Classified By: CDA David B. Shear, reasons 1.4 (b, d, h). ¶1. (S) Post delivered reftel notification of USG sanctions against Target Airfreight of Malaysia and A/DCM held conversations on January 8 with Malaysian Foreign Ministry Under Secretary for the Multilateral Political Affairs Division, Shahrul Ikram, and the Americas Division, as well as the Deputy Secretary General for Trade at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Dr. Rebecca Sta Maria. The senior officials were unfamiliar with the case and provided no substantive reaction. The Malaysians asked, however, for some explanation as to the company's actions that led to sanctions. A/DCM said that the Embassy would provide further information if/as such detail becomes available. ¶2. (S) Action Request: Please provide us with further background on the Target Airfreight case, including any identifying information for the company, which we may share with the Malaysian Government. Provision of more detail, as appropriate, would increase the impact and credibility of the sanctions decision with senior Malaysian officials. SHEAR