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Cable Viewer 10.12.

10 18:42

Viewing cable 08RANGOON749, BURMESE CIVILIAN OFFERS TO SELL PURPORTED URANIUM


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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin

08RANGOON749 2008-09-23 08:08 2010-12-09 21:09 SECRET Embassy Rangoon

VZCZCXYZ0017
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHGO #0749/01 2670859
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 230859Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8191
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 2005
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
Currently released so far...
1269 / 251,287
Tuesday, 23 September 2008, 08:59
Articles S E C R E T RANGOON 000749
SIPDIS
Brazil FOR STATE ISN/CTR AND PM/ISO/PMAT (24/7)
Sri Lanka DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DEPT OF ENERGY
United Kingdom EO 12958 DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS KNNP, MNUC, PARM, KCRM, PTER, ASEC, KCOR, BM
Sweden SUBJECT: BURMESE CIVILIAN OFFERS TO SELL PURPORTED URANIUM
Editorial 238 TO U.S. EMBASSY RANGOON, BURMA
United States REF: A. 2007 STATE 162091 B. USDAO RANGOON IIR 6 812 0131 08
Latin America Classified By: CDA Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
¶1. (S//REL to USA, ACGU) Per Ref A, Post is alerting the Department and
Washington agencies that on XXXXXXXXXXXX after USDAO Rangoon received
Browse latest releases guidance from DIA, a Burmese civilian met with members of USDAO Rangoon
2010/12/09 and offered to sell Uranium-238. The individual had initially contacted
the USDAO eight days prior with the offer. The individual provided a
2010/12/08 small bottle half-filled with metallic powder and a photocopied
2010/12/07 certificate of testing from a Chinese university dated 1992 as
2010/12/06 verification of the radioactive nature of the powder. During
2010/12/05 XXXXXXXXXXXX interview, the individual claimed to be able to provide up
2010/12/04 to 2000 kg of uranium-bearing rock from a location in Kayah State
XXXXXXXXXXXX , and further stated if the U.S. was not interested in
2010/12/03 purchasing the uranium, he and his associates would try to sell it to
2010/12/02 other countries, beginning with Thailand. See Ref B for further
2010/12/01 information.
2010/11/30 ¶2. (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) Details of the incident follow, keyed to
2010/11/29 questions in Ref A:
A) (S//REL to USA, ACGU) Current location of the material: Sample bottle
2010/11/28 is in transit via classified Diplomatic Pouch to Aberdeen Proving
Grounds via DIA.
Browse by creation date B) (S//REL to USA, ACGU) Transportation status of material: sample
bottle in transit through diplomatic courier service. The sample was
66 72 75 79 86 88 89 90 wrapped in several layers and placed inside multiple containers,
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 including glass, lead, and wooden boxes/crates. Following instructions
08 09 10 from DIA headquarters, USDAO has sent the package via Diplomatic Pouch
to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, through DIA, 3100 Clarendon, Arlington, VA.
The box is marked “Secret.” Dimensions are 16 X 16 X 8 inches. Embassy
Browse by origin Rangoon assesses that the host nation is currently unaware of USDAO
A B C D F H I J receipt and shipment of the material. However, the possibility cannot be
dismissed that rather than a sale for profit, the seller is attempting
K L M N O P R S to assist in executing a government entrapment scheme.
T U V W Y Z C) (S//REL to USA, ACGU) As noted, Post assesses that the Burmese
government is currently unaware of USDAO receipt and shipment of the
Browse by tag sample. Burmese authorities would likely seize any additional samples or
stocks of the material if aware of their existence.
A B C D E F G H D) (S//REL to USA, ACGU) Sample is in transit by commercial air via
I J K L M N O P Diplomatic Pouch.
Q R S T U V W X E) (S//REL to USA, ACGU) Intended destination of material: The subject
Y Z indicated his first choice for a possible buyer of the alleged uranium
is the United States, via the Embassy in Rangoon. Other stated options
include the Thai and Chinese Embassies. His intent appears to be to sell
Browse by classification the material in Rangoon. Subject made no mention of intent to move
material across borders.
CONFIDENTIAL F) Unknown.
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN G - J) (S//NF) Subject identified himself as XXXXXXXXXXXX .

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Cable Viewer 10.12.10 18:42

G - J) (S//NF) Subject identified himself as XXXXXXXXXXXX .


SECRET (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) The subject brought with him a small bottle
SECRET//NOFORN weighing 1.8 ounces and measuring 70 mm long by 26 mm in diameter, which
was half-filled with a grey metallic powder. He claimed the material in
UNCLASSIFIED question was Uranium-238 in powder form. The subject claims to represent
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR a small group that wants to sell uranium to the U.S. Embassy. According
OFFICIAL USE ONLY to the subject, he has 50 kilograms of uranium-containing rock or ore at
an undisclosed location in Rangoon, which is stored in a barrel that
Community resources prevents the radioactivity from being toxic XXXXXXXXXXXX . He estimates
there are at least 2000 more kilograms that could be dug up from the
Follow us on Twitter site in Kayah State. The uranium was only recently brought to Rangoon
Check our Reddit (subject would not give a specific time frame). The subject claimed the
uranium was discovered in Kayah state in 1992. XXXXXXXXXXXX
Twitter this (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) The subject claimed XXXXXXXXXXXX know about the
Digg this page uranium. XXXXXXXXXXXX
K) N/A.
courage is contagious L) N/A.
M) (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) Interview occurred in a consular interview room
(used for walk-ins) at the U.S. Embassy Rangoon.
N) Additional details: Ref B contains all other available information
related to this incident.
¶3. (SBU) XXXXXXXXXXXX
DINGER

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