UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000034
SIPDIS
PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC, KOMC, MY
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN RESPONSE ON PRE-SHIPMENT END-USE
CHECK ON APPLICATION 050136184
REF: SECSTATE 133964
1) Pursuant to reftel request, Econoff on 16 January 2009
spoke with Mr. Leandro Villar, the local representative for
Avibras in Malaysia. In addition, the Embassy's Econ FSN
identified an official, Ms. Puan Norhaslinda bte Abdullah,
within the Malaysian Ministry of Defense (MOD) Procurement
Office who was familiar with the reftel information on the
proposed sale of armor plate from a U.S. company to Avibras
in Brazil, which would be used in the manufacture of military
vehicles for export to Malaysia. Both Ms. Puan and Mr.
Villar knew almost all details as specified in reftel, and
therefore we support the proposed sale.
2) During the conversation with Mr. Villar, he said that the
armored plate would be utilized in the manufacture of the
cabin for an artillery rocket-associated vehicle that would
be exported to Malaysia. The first vehicles would be
exported to Malaysia in late 2009, with the second and final
batch exported in early 2010. He also knew the amount of the
proposed sale and details of the U.S. manufacturer. Mr.
Villar was helpful and forthcoming, and welcomed re-contact.
For the record, his cell phone number in Malaysia is (012)
268-5317.
3) Mr. Puan -- who speaks only Bahasi Malay -- is the
Assistant Secretary within the MOD's Procurement Division,
and told our Econ section FSN that the Malaysian MOD had a
requirement for a certain military area (the artillery rocket
system), and that her office had negotiated an agreement with
Avibras. The FSN described Ms. Puan as helpful and
knowledgeable about Avibras and the U.S. manufacturer. Her
contact information: Unit 1, Ministry of Defense, Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, with a local office landline phone (60-3)
2071-5092, fax (60-3) 2698-2926.
4) We found no abnormalities during our check, and recommend
approval of the sale.
KEITH