BLUE LANTERN RESPONSE ON BONA FIDES OF REGISTERED

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000814 SIPDIS PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC MY SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN RESPONSE ON BONA FIDES OF REGISTERED BROKER AWTAR SINGH GHAMAND SINGH REF: SECSTATE 94780 1) Pursuant to reftel request, Econoff on 28 September 2009 spoke with Mr. Awtar Singh Ghamand Singh, who is the Director of Marketing for Azam Hikmat Management Sdn Bhd in Subang, Malaysia. Econoff asked reftel suggested questions, and received answers over the phone as well as in a later email from Mr. Awtar. Econoff confirmed that Azam Hikmat is in the business of brokering defense articles and defense services within Selangor Darul Ehsan (Subang, Malaysia),and that his contact information is correct. Awtar is authorized to conduct defense procurement and sales within Malaysia, and that Post has no negative or detrimental information on him. 2) Awtar said that Azam Hikmat does not handle or store any U.S. Munitions List (USML) control items in Malaysia or any other country, nor does the company have a warehouse to store defense articles. Awtar said that Azam Hikmat only procures or arranges sales, and is not in the business of storing items. The company was founded in Kuala Lumpur on 22 January 1993, and has two employees (including Awtar). The firm's primary clients are the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and a Malaysian defense company, AIROD Sdn Bhd. Awtar stated that the company does a lot of business procuring parts for the RMAF's Sikorsky S-61 helicopters. Awtar said that he and the firm's other employee have read and fully understand the USML and understand the restrictions on U.S. origin defense equipment or munitions, especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfer or re-export of said items. 3) Overall, Mr. Awtar was very cooperative and willing to cooperate. He welcomes any follow-on contact. RAPSON