Screenshots

" illegally exported by Mitutoyo Corp"

Pesumably that export was to Scomi or Scope, a Malaysian company. Question is was Scomi a company that was not authorised to purchase such a tool? Scomi could have duped Mitutoyo into believing the tool was for its own use although it knew very well that the tool would be forwarded onwards to Libya. (in an Iranian freighter?).

Well, Libya had a stated objective. But did Malaysia have a covert objective of facilitating nuclear development in "friendly" countries exploiting its "secular status" at the time? It would seem like the bigger culprit here would be Malaysia which appears to have hosted the blackmarket operation. But then I guess, in a boleh land where apa apa pun boleh, this is o.k.

Unless I'm mistaken, the 3D measurement device they're referring to could be a coordinate measurement machine:

http://www.mitutoyo.co.jp/eng/products/zahyou/zahyou_01.html

These "CMM"s are used everywhere, from checking the of car part welding fixtures to the checking of a laser printer's metal body.

According to news report in Japan,
Mitutoyo sold a total of six 3-D measuring instruments to SCOPE; three were found in Libya two years ago, while the whereabouts of the other three remain unknown.

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200602150297.html

CMM machines can be used to reverse engineer (R-E) stuff, by generating 3D point clouds. But to R-E a component, one must need the original component first, so if a terrorist already has a component that might possibly make it to the assembly of a nuke, why would he need to R-E it? Oh yeah, to make _more_.

/shudder
//call in Jack Bauer/CTU

Having worked with an America based company before, I am very familiar with similar laws that prohibit certain types of equipment to be sold to 'embargoed' countries. An America-based company (even a joint-venture), regardless of where it operates from, is bound by this law. From the American point-of-view, these would include Libya, Iran, Sudan, and Myanmar, among others. I am not certain if Japan maintains a similar embargoed countries list.

From the Asahi article referred to by Jin, the violation seems to be because of the said CMM equipment's measurement precision, which leads to the possibility of RE, as mentioned by mediumsliced.

Now, in Mitutoyo's case, their sales procedures may or may not have 'end-destination country declaration' - I honestly don't know.

If they do, then SCOPE may have falsified this declaration, purely for commercial expediency. This happens a lot in the Oil & Gas business (which I am somewhat associated with). One way this is done is to declare the CMM's end-destination to be in Malaysia, then re-sell it to a third party. Whatever the third-party does with it, SCOPE could deny any knowledge, especially if they do not have any end-destination check requirements (which I suspect they may not).

Malaysia, as far as I know, does not bar trade with any country (apart from Israel), and so, in as far as Malaysian law is concerned, SCOPE acted legally (I would think).

Personally, I don't think SCOPE had any sinister motives, other than to make money. Period. Anyone following Libya would know that they have been on a long P.R. road towards disassociating themselves with International Terrorism. The US on the other hand seems to be on this trend of creating Bogeymen (currently Iran) - especially the current Bush II Republican regime - in its effort to consolidate its position as numero uno world power, and to protect Israel. CMM machines are used extensively in mechanical product design and development, and not just related to weapons re-engineering. Another case of international scare tactics on the part of the US? I think so. And don't forget: outside of the Gulf States, Libya has lots of hydrocarbon reserves.

I don't think I need to elaborate further

There is a jihad to propel the Muslim world to be a superpower. Nation states and boundaries are secondary and artificial. A brother must help another brother. The end justifies the means.

For those who think SCOPE business valid, think twice before you post.

Firstly, Bolehland is NOT a superpower country, nor we are gaining status that not depends on foreign trade. This kind of "trade" will be most costly for Bolehland than make more from it.

Bare in mind that it is costly to "buy back" some lobby power if the pressure build up, say some made in US fighters that cost few billions?

Secondly, the company cannot wash hand as those policy drafter are not THAT stupid. Do you think multiple proxy can save your ass then you are wrong! It is common sense.

Thirdly, for those who don't read international news, read this URL, April 1987 report.
http://www.japanlaw.info/lawletter/april87/fdf.htm

In Japan case, US has slam them with punishment that cost Japan billions.

I'm not sure this related to the last round Bolehland cabinet reshuffle that retain "SOME" minister. You know, you scrath my back, I scratch your back.