(S) PSI: SHIPMENT OF JAPANESE ORIGIN MATERIALS

S E C R E T STATE 068507


E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2033
TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC JA SY

SUBJECT: (S) PSI: SHIPMENT OF JAPANESE ORIGIN MATERIALS
WITH MISSILE APPLICATIONS TO SYRIA

Classified By: ISN DAS Mary Alice Hayward,
Reasons 1.4 (b),(c),and (d)

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ACTION REQUEST
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1. (S) Post is requested to approach appropriate-level
Japanese officials regarding a shipment of Japanese-origin
toluene di isocyanate to Syria and encourage them to
investigate and recall the shipment if appropriate. Post may
draw from background, objectives, and talking
points/non-paper below as appropriate.

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OBJECTIVES
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2. (S//REL Japan): Post should encourage Japan, as a
partner nation in the Proliferation Security Initiative
(PSI),to:

-- Investigate this shipment to identify the end use and end
user for this material, and

-- Take all appropriate measures, including, if appropriate,
recalling the cargo, to ensure that this is not going to a
missile-related end-use in Syria.

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BACKGROUND
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3. (S//REL Japan) The USG received information that the
Japanese firm Mitsui and Co., LTD shipped a cargo of toluene
di isocyanate (TDI) to Syria. The cargo was loaded aboard
the M/V CAPE BRETT at Hakata, Japan for delivery to Latakia
Syria. TDI has industrial uses, but also can be used as a
cross-linker in solid rocket propellants.


4. (S//REL Japan) The cargo has trans-shipped, and is now
aboard the Cypriot-flagged vessel M/V NORDSPRING, which is
due to arrive in Latakia, Syria on June 30.

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TALKING POINTS/NON-PAPER
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5. (S//REL Japan) Begin talking points/non-paper

-- As partners in the Proliferation Security Initiative, we
would like to share with you some information regarding a
shipment of proliferation concern.

-- We have information indicating that a Japanese firm,
Mitsui and Co., Ltd., shipped toluene di isocyanate (TDI) to
Syria. The cargo was loaded aboard the M/V CAPE BRETT at
Hakata, Japan, for delivery to Latakia, Syria. Details
regarding the shipment are as follows:

-- COMMODITY DESCRIPTION: toluene di isocyanate cosmonate.
-- SHIPPER: Mitsui and Co. LTD., B6J3-08-3054
-- CONSIGNEE: To order
-- NOTIFY PARTY: Belal Al Sasa, Damascus, Syria, TEL:
0933012556
-- BILL OF LADING: JP8001761, issued by CMA CGM, dated 28
May 2008.
-- MARKINGS: TDI (COSMONATE T-80) number 1-80, made in Japan.
-- PORT OF LOADING: Hakata, freight paid at Tokyo
-- PORT OF DISCHARGE: Latakia

-- Our information indicates that the cargo has
trans-shipped, and is now aboard the Cypriot-flagged vessel
M/V NORDSPRING, operated by the CMA CGM shipping line. The
vessel is scheduled to arrive in Latakia, Syria on June 30th.

-- While toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is used primarily in the
production of polyurethane foams, it can be used as a
cross-linker in solid propellant binders like
hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). We are therefore
concerned that this material could make a contribution to
Syria's ballistic missile development efforts.

-- Accordingly, we would like to request that you urgently
investigate this shipment, and take all appropriate measures
) including, if appropriate, recalling the shipment ) to
ensure that the TDI is not going to a missile-related end-use.

-- We would also appreciate if you could share the results of
your investigation with the United States as quickly as
possible. Timely sharing of this information could allow us
to assist you in determining if the end-user is
proliferation-related or may allow us to approach other PSI
partners regarding this shipment.

END POINTS.

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REPORTING REQUIREMENT AND POC
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6. (U) Please report delivery of demarche and any immediate
response by June 27.


7. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up information
is Mark Felipe, (202) 647-5376, felipem2@state.sgov.gov.
Please slug all responses for EAP, ISN, and T. Washington
appreciates Post's assistance.
RICE


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