INTEL LEAK IRKS GOS

S E C R E T SINGAPORE 001409 SIPDIS SIPDIS ISN FOR MARK FELIPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017 TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC IR SN SUBJECT: INTEL LEAK IRKS GOS REF: A. SINGAPORE 1258 ¶B. SINGAPORE 1242 ¶C. SINGAPORE 1003 ¶D. SINGAPORE 852 ¶E. STATE 57239 Classified By: A/DCM Karen Stanton for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) (S) MFA's Americas Director Ng Teck Hean met A/DCM on July 30 to express displeasure over a press leak related to a cargo of missile propellant precursor Singapore seized at USG request in April (reftels). (Note: A July 27 Wall Street Journal article referenced the seizure, which it called a "classified incident." End note.) Ng described the leak as "very unhelpful," especially as the GOS had been "accommodating" U.S. requests in this case. Singapore preferred to handle the matter out of public view, and press reports such as this one could hinder its ability to assist with future interdictions, he said. Ng told us that when end-users have proof that Singapore acted on U.S. intelligence, it curtails Singapore's ability to maneuver. A/DCM said she regretted the leak and assured Ng she would convey his message to Washington. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm HERBOLD