(S) POSSIBLE PAYMENT TO JAPANESE FIRM FROM

S E C R E T STATE 065286


E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2034
TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL MNUC ETTC KSCA JA KN

SUBJECT: (S) POSSIBLE PAYMENT TO JAPANESE FIRM FROM
MYANMAR BRANCH OF KOREAN WEAPONS TRADING ENTITY

Classified By: ISN/MTR ACTING DIRECTOR RALPH M. PALMIERO,
REASON: 1.4 (C).


1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Tokyo, please see
paragraph 3.


2. (S) Background: The United States has information
indicating that, as of September 2008, the Myanmar branch of
the Korea Mining Development General Trading Corporation
(KOMID) was arranging a payment of $1 million to the Japanese
firm Akiyama Trading Corporation. Although we have no
information regarding the reason for this payment, we are
concerned that Akiyama may be involved in a business
relationship with KOMID. KOMID is North Korea's primary
weapons trading entity and has been designated pursuant to
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 for its role
in North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. We
want to bring this information to the attention of Japanese
authorities to inform their export control efforts. We also
want to ask them to investigate this information with a view
to ensuring that Japanese companies are not entering into
business relationships with entities of proliferation concern
such as KOMID.


3. (S) Action Request: Request Embassy Tokyo approach
appropriate host government officials to deliver talking
points/non-paper in paragraph 4 below and report response.
Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper.


4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:

(SECRET//REL JAPAN)

-- We would like to raise with you a matter of proliferation
concern and request your government's assistance in
investigating this activity.

-- The United States has information indicating that in
September 2008, the Myanmar branch of the Korea Mining
Development General Trading Corporation (KOMID) was arranging
a payment of over $1 million to the Japanese firm Akiyama
Trading Corporation via an unidentified Chinese bank.

-- Although we have no information concerning the reason for
this payment, we are concerned that Akiyama - which also
maintains an office in Pyongyang - may be involved in a
business relationship with KOMID.

-- As you are aware, KOMID is North Korea's primary weapons
trading entity and is designated pursuant to United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1718 for its role in North
Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

-- We know you share our concerns about KOMID's proliferation
activities and hope this information is useful in supporting
your export control efforts. We also urge you to investigate
this information and take all appropriate measures to ensure
that Japanese firms are not involved in cooperation with
KOMID or other North Korean entities of proliferation concern.

-- We look forward to continued close cooperation on
nonproliferation issues and to hearing of any actions your
government takes in response to this information.

End talking points/non-paper


5. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR Mike Kennedy (Phone:
202-647-3176). Please slug any reporting on this issue for
ISN/MTR and EAP/J.


6. (U) A word version of this document will be posted at
www.state.sgov.gov/demarche.
CLINTON


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End Cable Text