EXPORT CONTROL CASES: HONG KONG UPDATE

S E C R E T HONG KONG 001595

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR ISN/CATR
STATE FOR ISN/MTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2034
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC MASS MNUC KSCA IR HK
SUBJECT: EXPORT CONTROL CASES: HONG KONG UPDATE

REF: A. HONG KONG 1521

B. HONG KONG 1523

C. STATE 82250

D. STATE 84103

Classified By: Acting Consul General Christopher Marut, Reason 1.4(b),
(c),and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 3.


2. (S) On August 20, Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department
(TID),Strategic Trade Controls Principal Trade Officer Billy
Au informed Consulate General that the Hong Kong Customs and
Excise Department (HKCED) had started reviewing trading
documents for the businesses referred to in refs C and D
(Oceanemed Holding Limited of Hong Kong, Malaysia-based Elite
Advanced Solutions, and Hong Kong firm Precision Devices
Limited). Any irregularities in the trading documents will
provide HKCED with legal authority to search the businesses
to gather physical evidence. Au requested any additional
U.S. Government information that could further assist
HKCED,s investigation, including information on specific
shipments or transhipments by these businesses as well as any
available evidence linking shipped items to the development
of weapons of mass destruction. Au stated additional
information might enable HKCED to establish reasonable
suspicion and fulfill the requirements to obtain legal
authority to search.


3. (SBU) Action Request: Request Department provide
additional information to assist Hong Kong authorities
further develop cases presented in refs C and D.
MARUT