(S) M/V GANT STAR: GOS RELEASES CHEMICALS TO

S E C R E T SINGAPORE 001998

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

ISN FOR EDNA SIDLER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC KNNP MNUC PARM PREL SN IR
SUBJECT: (S) M/V GANT STAR: GOS RELEASES CHEMICALS TO
CHINESE SHIPPER

REF: A. SINGAPORE 1871

B. STATE 129214

C. SINGAPORE 1409

D. STATE 57239

E. SINGAPORE 1258

Classified By: DCM Dan Shields for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (S) Singapore has released to the Chinese shipper the
sodium perchlorate originally destined for Iran that
Singapore had seized earlier this year, according to Tan York
Chor, Director of MFA's International Organizations
Directorate. Tan called E/P Chief and Econoff into MFA late
in the afternoon of November 1 to tell us the GOS had
released the chemicals to the Chinese shipper with the
proviso that they be returned to China rather than shipped to
a third country. The vessel carrying the sodium perchlorate
left Singapore earlier in the day, Tan said. (Note: Tan
agreed to our request that we be provided the name of the
vessel, which we will forward upon receipt. End Note.)


2. (S) Tan explained that the GOS had completed an
"exhaustive investigation" but could not link the cargo to
any UN-listed entities. The GOS had determined that the
Chinese shipper was the only party with a legal claim to the
chemicals, so Singapore had no choice but to return the
sodium perchlorate to them. E/P Chief expressed
disappointment that the GOS had taken this step and urged
Singapore to work closely with us to establish the facts in
such cases. Tan predicted there would be more cases like
this in the future, and said Singapore remains interested in
helping prevent trade in contraband. However, the GOS would
only bring winnable cases to court. He suggested that the
USG follow up on the sodium percholrate shipment with the
Chinese government.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD