INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Extrancheck: Post-Shipment Verification:

Published: Mon 9 Jul 2007 03:55 AM
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMO #3318/01 1900355
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 090355Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1891
RHMFIUU/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MOSCOW 003318
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/LRITTER
USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA
USDOC FOR 532/OEE/MO'BRIEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION:
RUSSIAN FEDERAL NUCLEAR CENTER (VNIITF), INSTITUTE OF
TECHNICAL PHYSICS, SNEZHINSK, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO:
D279875
REFTEL: 1. 04 USDOC 01963
2. 05 MOSCOW 14902
1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided
below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export
Administration Act.
2. Reftel 1 requested a post-shipment verification to
determine the legitimacy and reliability of the end-
user, Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIITF),
Institute of Technical Physics, Snezhinsk, Russia. The
company was listed on BIS license number: D279875 as
the ultimate consignee of 1 optima 2000DV inductively
coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer system
and accessories, ECCN: 4A994. These items are
controlled for anti-terrorism reasons. The licensee is
Perkin-Elmer, Inc, 761 Main Ave., Mail Stop 52,
Norwalk, CT 06859. Reftel 2 is an unfavorable
recommendation citing the refusal of the GOR to grant
access to the facility in order for ECO Moscow to
conduct the end use check.
3. NOTE: The Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIITF),
Institute of Technical Physics, Snezhinsk conducts
research on nuclear fuel cycle technologies and
fissile material processing. The Government of Russia
(GOR) Ministry of Atomic Energy (Russian acronym
MINATOM) still classifies VNIITF as a "closed
facility." Foreigners are generally not granted
access to closed facilities, however, a bilateral
agreement between the US Department of Energy (DOE)
and MINATOM allows for site visits by DOE personnel
for information exchange and audit purposes. DOE and
VNIITF have been working on collaborative projects
since 1992. END NOTE.
4. On June 14, 2007 ECO Pearce participated in a DOE
teleconference with Maegon E. Barlow, Deputy Office
Director - Office of Weapons Material Protection,
National Nuclear Security Administration. Ms. Barlow
and her team were scheduled to visit the VNIITF
facilities as part of a DOE Threat Reduction and
Safeguards project assessment. ECO Pearce gave Ms.
Barlow a briefing on conducting BIS end use checks,
and the specific commodities to be verified, including
descriptions of the devices and the locations of
number plates. Ms. Barlow stated that she would be
conducting the check on June 29, 2007.
5. On July 3, 2007 ECO Pearce received the following
email from Ms. Barlow.
Subject: Post Shipment Verification of the Perkin
Elmer Optima 2000DV Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical
Emissions Spectrometer at VNIITF. Summary: Maegon
Barlow conducted a post-shipment verification of the
ICP Spectrometer Optima 2000DV provided to VNIITF
under export control license #D279875 per the request
of the US Department of Commerce on June 29th, 2007.
The spectrometer was brought to the International
Business Center (ICB) in Snezhinsk where Ms. Barlow
was able to see the spectrometer. Ms. Barlow
confirmed that it was in fact a Perkin Elmer Optima
2000DV Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions
Spectrometer - serial number # 080N1061301. Ms.
Barlow inquired about the operability and purpose of
the spectrometer. The VNIITF personnel that operate
the Spectrometer reported this it was fully
operational and informed Ms. Barlow that the primary
purpose of the equipment was to assist with the
scientific research on alternate power generation (ie
looking at fuel cells). The spectrometer is also
being used by geologists to conduct pollution analysis
(i.e looking at rain water, industrial pollutants).
Ms. Barlow was informed that the spectrometer was not
being used for any nuclear related activities.
The VNIITF personnel responsible for the equipment
were forthcoming with information and access to the
equipment. Ms. Barlow was able to get pictures of the
spectrometer. The post-shipment verification was
recorded in the signed Protocol of Meeting. End
quote.
8. Recommendations: Post recommends Bochvar All-
Russian Scientific Research Institute For Inorganic
Materials (VNIINM) as a reliable recipient of
sensitive U.S. origin commodities.
(FCS MOSCOW/SBOZEK/DPEARCE)
BURNS
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