Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SINGAPORE1258
2007-07-02 07:13:00
SECRET
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
(S) SINGAPORE MIGHT RELEASE PRECURSOR CHEMICALS TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHGP #1258 1830713 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 020713Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3506 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2561 RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SINGAPORE 001258
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN FOR MARK FELIPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC IR SN
SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE MIGHT RELEASE PRECURSOR CHEMICALS TO
SHIPPER
REF: A. SINGAPORE 1242
B. SINGAPORE 1003
C. SINGAPORE 852
D. STATE 57239
Classified By: E/P Chief Ike Reed for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
S E C R E T SINGAPORE 001258
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN FOR MARK FELIPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC IR SN
SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE MIGHT RELEASE PRECURSOR CHEMICALS TO
SHIPPER
REF: A. SINGAPORE 1242
B. SINGAPORE 1003
C. SINGAPORE 852
D. STATE 57239
Classified By: E/P Chief Ike Reed for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) MFA's International Organizations Directorate Deputy
Director Michelle Teo-Jacob said that Singapore was close to
determining the fate of 20 containers of missile propellant
precursor it seized on April 21 (reftels). Without saying so
directly, she indicated during a June 28 meeting that if
Singapore were unable to identify a basis under domestic law
for otherwise disposing of the chemical, it would likely
eventually be returned to the Chinese shipper. She said that
there had been "exhaustive" discussions between MFA and the
Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) on Singapore's obligations
and responsibilities under UNSCRs 1737 and 1747, but that the
AGC had thus far not identified a legal basis for continuing
to hold the chemical.
2. (S) Teo-Jacob added that the GOS is still exploring the
issue and would hold the shipment as long as possible, but
suggested that Singapore had nearly come to the conclusion
that its legal options were limited. She said that Singapore
Customs, in particular, was apprehensive that the shipper
might file a lawsuit if the chemicals were not returned.
(Note: If the Iranian entity had not yet paid for the cargo,
the shipper may have grounds to demand its return. End
note.) Teo-Jacob noted Iran had inquired about the status of
the shipment and "rattled sabers", but Singapore still felt
that the UNSC resolutions justified the inspection and
seizure. (Note: Teo-Jacob told us that Iran had claimed that
the chemical was sodium chloride, but that the GOS had
confirmed it was in fact sodium perchlorate. End note.)
Visit EMBASSY Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN FOR MARK FELIPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC IR SN
SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE MIGHT RELEASE PRECURSOR CHEMICALS TO
SHIPPER
REF: A. SINGAPORE 1242
B. SINGAPORE 1003
C. SINGAPORE 852
D. STATE 57239
Classified By: E/P Chief Ike Reed for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) MFA's International Organizations Directorate Deputy
Director Michelle Teo-Jacob said that Singapore was close to
determining the fate of 20 containers of missile propellant
precursor it seized on April 21 (reftels). Without saying so
directly, she indicated during a June 28 meeting that if
Singapore were unable to identify a basis under domestic law
for otherwise disposing of the chemical, it would likely
eventually be returned to the Chinese shipper. She said that
there had been "exhaustive" discussions between MFA and the
Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) on Singapore's obligations
and responsibilities under UNSCRs 1737 and 1747, but that the
AGC had thus far not identified a legal basis for continuing
to hold the chemical.
2. (S) Teo-Jacob added that the GOS is still exploring the
issue and would hold the shipment as long as possible, but
suggested that Singapore had nearly come to the conclusion
that its legal options were limited. She said that Singapore
Customs, in particular, was apprehensive that the shipper
might file a lawsuit if the chemicals were not returned.
(Note: If the Iranian entity had not yet paid for the cargo,
the shipper may have grounds to demand its return. End
note.) Teo-Jacob noted Iran had inquired about the status of
the shipment and "rattled sabers", but Singapore still felt
that the UNSC resolutions justified the inspection and
seizure. (Note: Teo-Jacob told us that Iran had claimed that
the chemical was sodium chloride, but that the GOS had
confirmed it was in fact sodium perchlorate. End note.)
Visit EMBASSY Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD