URGING ASEAN IMPLEMENTATION OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000586 FOR ISN, EAP, IO, USUN AND T E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2029 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC KN SN SUBJECT: URGING ASEAN IMPLEMENTATION OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1874 AND TRANSPARENCY IN NORTH KOREA TRANSACTIONS REF: STATE 64133 Classified By: CDA Daniel Shields for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Singapore will fully implement UNSCR 1874 and will ensure transparency in its limited transactions with North Korea, MFA Second Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan said in response to CDA's June 22 delivery of reftel points. Kausikan asked that the USG provide detailed, credible intelligence that would meet the reasonable-grounds standard in UNSCR 1874. CDA urged that Kausikan and the GOS keep an open mind on this and consider all available information to determine whether there are reasonable grounds for action. End Summary. ¶2. (C) If a North Korean ship comes into Singaporean territory with prohibited cargo, Singapore will act, as in the past, to inspect the ship, MFA Second Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan stated, in response to CDA's delivery on June 22 of reftel points. In terms of inspections on the high seas, Kausikan sought additional information on what, specifically, the USG might expect Singapore to do. ¶3. (C) As for bunkering, the key issue would be whether there were "reasonable grounds" to believe the ship was carrying prohibited cargo. Kausikan asked that the USG provide detailed, credible intelligence if this is the case, adding that he is skeptical, on the basis of past intelligence received from the USG, whether intelligence the USG might provide would meet the reasonable-grounds standard in UNSCR 1874. CDA urged that Kausikan and the GOS keep an open mind on this and consider all available information to determine whether there are reasonable grounds for action. ¶4. (C) On the transparency issue, Kausikan said Singapore is already transparent in terms of the very limited transactions it has with North Korea. Singapore's transactions with North Korea are fully consistent with UNSC resolutions, he stated. Kausikan said Singapore is not going to be the problem in terms of getting ASEAN to adopt a standard of transparency with North Korea. CDA urged that ASEAN explicitly express support for UNSCR 1874 and pledge complete transparency on any dealings with North Korea. ¶5. (C) On Burma, Kausikan said Singapore agrees with the USG position that Burma, like all UN Members, ought to implement UNSC resolutions. He expressed skepticism, however, that all elements of the government in Burma can in fact be made to comply with UNSC resolutions. CDA noted that it is in ASEAN's interest to ensure that the Burmese authorities take seriously their obligations as a member of the UN and of ASEAN. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS