Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SINGAPORE356
2009-04-16 01:29:00
SECRET
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
(S) SINGAPORE AGREES TO HELP ON DPRK
how-toP 160129Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6612 INFO DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SINGAPORE 000356
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2019
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KNNP IR PREL PARM XF LE KN SN
SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE AGREES TO HELP ON DPRK
PROLIFERATION-RELATED TRANSACTION
REF: STATE 36855
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. Shields for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
S E C R E T SINGAPORE 000356
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2019
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KNNP IR PREL PARM XF LE KN SN
SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE AGREES TO HELP ON DPRK
PROLIFERATION-RELATED TRANSACTION
REF: STATE 36855
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. Shields for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (S) MFA Second Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan
told the CDA April 15 that Singapore will help with regard
to a possible upcoming proliferation-related transaction
involving the DPRK at Singapore's Changi airport (see
reftel). Kausikan complained, however, that the USG had
not been fully forthcoming in Washington regarding what
Singapore considers an important fact: that the cash to be
transferred in the airport represents payment for a
dual-use item. The CDA responded that the USG has been
consistently clear on what the payment was for. He added
that it is in Singapore's interest to prevent its territory
from being used for proliferation-related business.
Kausikan expressed agreement and asked that the USG provide
ASAP through appropriate channels any additional
information it can to help Singapore identify Alex H.T.
Tsai, the Taiwanese citizen involved in the transaction.
CDA passed Kausikan's request to the relevant USG office,
which is following up through its channels.
2. (S) Earlier the same day, Econoff met with Lynette
Long, Deputy Director of MFA's International Organizations
Directorate, to present reftel talking points and urge the
GOS to take steps to disrupt the transaction. Long noted
that Singapore had received the same USG message via Charge
d'Affaires Ong at its embassy in Washington and had passed
it to relevant GOS agencies.
3. (S) Long said MFA's lawyers were trying to work out
Singapore's jurisdiction over a transaction taking place in
the airport transit area and what legal means the GOS would
have to arrest either individual. She suggested the issue
was complicated by the fact that the money would likely
stay within the transit area and not enter Singapore
territory and might not, therefore, be subject to its
anti-money laundering laws. Nevertheless, Long said that
operational authorities were aware of the details of the
case and were monitoring the situation. She asked for any
additional operational information that could be provided,
in particular flight numbers and any descriptive details
that could help identify the two men.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
SHIELDS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2019
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KNNP IR PREL PARM XF LE KN SN
SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE AGREES TO HELP ON DPRK
PROLIFERATION-RELATED TRANSACTION
REF: STATE 36855
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. Shields for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (S) MFA Second Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan
told the CDA April 15 that Singapore will help with regard
to a possible upcoming proliferation-related transaction
involving the DPRK at Singapore's Changi airport (see
reftel). Kausikan complained, however, that the USG had
not been fully forthcoming in Washington regarding what
Singapore considers an important fact: that the cash to be
transferred in the airport represents payment for a
dual-use item. The CDA responded that the USG has been
consistently clear on what the payment was for. He added
that it is in Singapore's interest to prevent its territory
from being used for proliferation-related business.
Kausikan expressed agreement and asked that the USG provide
ASAP through appropriate channels any additional
information it can to help Singapore identify Alex H.T.
Tsai, the Taiwanese citizen involved in the transaction.
CDA passed Kausikan's request to the relevant USG office,
which is following up through its channels.
2. (S) Earlier the same day, Econoff met with Lynette
Long, Deputy Director of MFA's International Organizations
Directorate, to present reftel talking points and urge the
GOS to take steps to disrupt the transaction. Long noted
that Singapore had received the same USG message via Charge
d'Affaires Ong at its embassy in Washington and had passed
it to relevant GOS agencies.
3. (S) Long said MFA's lawyers were trying to work out
Singapore's jurisdiction over a transaction taking place in
the airport transit area and what legal means the GOS would
have to arrest either individual. She suggested the issue
was complicated by the fact that the money would likely
stay within the transit area and not enter Singapore
territory and might not, therefore, be subject to its
anti-money laundering laws. Nevertheless, Long said that
operational authorities were aware of the details of the
case and were monitoring the situation. She asked for any
additional operational information that could be provided,
in particular flight numbers and any descriptive details
that could help identify the two men.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
SHIELDS