Cablegate: Results of Blue Lantern Check On License 05-1001820

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHGP #2754 2430247
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310247Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1041

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 002754

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTTC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SN
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON LICENSE 05-1001820

REF: STATE 116740

1. Per reftel, Post conducted inquiries to verify the bona
fides of Avi-Com Enterprises.

2. Avi-Com Enterprises is a sole proprietorship that has
been operating in Singapore since February 18, 2004.
Singapore's online business directory, Biznet, lists the
company's principle officer as:

Name: CHEE Wing Keong, aka Sebastian Chee
Nationality: Singaporean
ID: S1346682C
Address: 99B Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, #04-25, Singapore, 311099

3. DHS/ICE databases revealed no negative information about
Avi-Com Enterprises.

4. Econoff on August 25 visited the address listed reftel,
Block 1002 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, #04-1421, Singapore,
319074. This address was occupied by Lube Way Trading. The
door was locked and gated, and the office was unoccupied.
Econoff on Aug 29 visited Biznet's address listing for
Avi-Com Enterprises, 112 East Coast Road, #04-46/47, Katong
Mall, Singapore, 428802. This address was occupied by Smith
Consultancy, a family counseling center. Econoff inquired at
RoBellz Property Management (located adjacent to Avi-Com's
listed address); a receptionist informed Econoff that
04-46/47 was only Avi-Com Enterprise's registered address.
She was unwilling to provide any contact information for
Avi-Com. Econoff spoke with listed POC Sebastian Chee via
telephone later that day. Chee reported that he is the
company's sole employee, and confirmed that he had signed
documents both as sales director and purchasing manager. He
explained that the Singapore Ministry of Defense (MOD) is
Avi-Com Enterprise's only customer, though he did not often
handle USML article transactions for the MOD. Chee said that
he was not especially familiar with USML restrictions, but
assumed that the seller, Associated Aircraft Mfg. & Sales,
Inc., was familiar with them; Chee described himself as
Associated Aircraft's exclusive representative in Asia. When
asked, Chee said that he rented space from Lube Way Trading
and used that company as a shipping address. Note: Econoff
did not have the opportunity to assess on-site security. End
note.

5. Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) confirmed via
e-mail that Sebastian Chee is their POC at Avi-Com and that
they had ordered the reftel listed parts for end-use by RSAF.
RSAF has established a three-year contact with Avi-Com (Dec
05-Dec 08) and has also made ad-hoc purchases through Avi-Com.

6. Avi-Com Enterprises appeared to be a legitimate, one-man
operation, but one that typically does not deal with USML
controlled articles.
HERBOLD

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