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