INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Blue Lantern Level 3: Pre-License End-Use Check

Published: Fri 15 Feb 2008 04:03 PM
VZCZCXYZ0022
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #5838 0461606
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151603Z FEB 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0000
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0000
INFO RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 0000
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEPINS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC 0000
UNCLAS STATE 015838
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
MOSCOW FOR NICKOLAS KATSAKIS
POLMIL
STOCKHOLM FOR OLIVIA HILTON
ECON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC RS
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK
ON APPLICATION 050087908
REF: BLUE LANTERN GUIDEBOOK 2006
1. (U) This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2-4.
2. (U) The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls
Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests post's assistance in conducting
a pre-license check on application 050087908 for the export
of infrared searchlight equipment to Russia. Post is
requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days.
Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending
and future applications involving parties to this license.
3. (SBU) Reason for request: foreign end-user and consignee
are both on PM/DTCC's Watchlist; vague and suspicious end-use
statement; possible involvement of an unregistered broker.
Foreign end-user Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant is on PM/DTCC's
Watchlist and has never had its bona fides verified by a Blue
Lantern check. An additional cause for concern is the
end-use statement that the infrared searchlight equipment
will be installed on a helicopter owned by Ulan Ude, which
purportedly will be operated by the company on behalf of the
Russian Federal Customs Service. In addition, foreign
intermediate consignee Avitronics International AB appears to
be acting as a broker in this proposed transaction. However,
the company is not registered with the Department's
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (PM/DDTC) as a broker
of USML parts, as required under U.S. law. Embassy Moscow
should make appropriate inquiries to verify the bona fides of
Ulan Ude and confirm the legitimacy of the proposed
transaction. Embassy Stockholm should make appropriate
inquiries to determine whether Avitronics is acting as a
broker in this proposed transaction and whether the company
is aware that U.S. law requires brokers of USML items to
register with PM/DDTC. The following questions are provided
as suggested guidance:
For the Russian Federal Customs Service, Siberian Department,
Buryatia Branch:
--Have you hired Ulan Ude to use its helicopters to perform
services on behalf of your agency?
--If so, does Ulan Ude require an infrared searchlight? What
exact services will Ulan Ude performing on behalf of the
Russian Federal Customs Service?
For Ulan Ude Aviation Plant:
--Does the company have proper supporting documentation,
including a contract from the Russian Federal Customs
Service, for this proposed transaction?
--Does the company understand the restrictions on United
States Munitions List (USML) items, especially the
prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports?
Does the company understand that USML items may be used only
for the specific purpose stated on the export license?
For Avitronics International AB:
--Please describe your role in this proposed transaction.
--If serving as a broker in this proposed transaction, are
you aware that U.S. law requires brokers of USML items to
register with the State Department and to obtain prior
authorization for many brokered transactions?
4. (SBU) For background, the following details of the license
in question are provided:
DTC Case: 050087908
QUANTITY/COMMODITY:
1 SX-16 in flight changeover infrared searchlight assembly
1 SX-16 in flight changeover infrared searchlight, gimbal
assembly
1 SX-16 in flight changeover infrared searchlight,
control box assembly
1 SX-16 in flight changeover infrared searchlight, cable
assembly flex
1 SX-16 in flight changeover infrared searchlight, cable
assembly external
1 SX-16 in flight changeover infrared searchlight,
operation and maintenance manual
License Value: USD 27,601.00
SELLER:
The Boeing Company
100 North Riverside
Chicago, IL 60606
Company contact: Julio Santiago, tel.: 703-4654-3650
Spectrolab, Inc.
(Wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company)
12500 Gladstone Avenue
Sylmar, CA 91342
Company contact: Stephen P. Wallace, tel. 818-898-2831
FOREIGN CONSIGNEE:
Varova Oy
East Harbour Sompasaari, Makasiini S-1
Helsinki
Finland
FOREIGN INTERMEDIATE CONSIGNEE:
Avitronics International AB
Box 607
S-175 26 Jarfalla
Sweden
FOREIGN END-USER:
Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant
1, Khorinskaya Street
Ulan-Ude 670009
Russia
PURPOSE:
Commodities for use on end user's helicopter model Mi-8/17
used for Russian customs purposes
5. (U) Submitted in support of the license application were
the following documents (PM/DTCC can fax documentation to
post upon request):
--Nontransfer and Use Certificate (Form DSP-83), signed by
Robert Eklund, Director, Avitronics a.b., dated 09.24.2007;
and signed by Leonid Belykh, General Director, Ulan Ude
Aviation Plant, dated 12.07.2007
--Product brochure including technical specifications
--Cover letter from Spectrolab explaining the proposed
transaction, signed by Stephen P. Wallace, Manager of
Contracts, dated January 29, 2008
--Supplementary statement of purpose from Ulan Ude Aviation
Plant, signed by E. Milischuk, 1st Deputy General Director,
dated February 11, 2008, stating "This is to certify that
SX-16 IFCO Searchlight (part number 025000-131) manufactured
by Spectrolab Inc. is intended to be installed on Mi-17
helicopter owned by Ulan Ude Aviation plant. The helicopter
in question will be operated by Ulan Ude Aviation plant for
Russian Federal Customs Service, Siberian Department,
Buryatia Branch, Bld 4, Karl Marx Boulevard, 670031 Ulan Ude,
Buryatia Republic, Russian Federation. Ulan Ude Aviation
plant has all necessary infrastructure for helicopter
operation such as pilots, helipads, jet fuel station, air
traffic control tower, etc. Purpose of use: forestry,
transportation routes and border patrol to interdict illegal
export of timber and other natural resources."
6. (U) Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN
COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case
number in the subject line. POC is Judd Stitziel, PM/DTCC,
Phone: 202-663-3455; email: StitzielJD@state.gov; SIPRNET:
StitzielJD@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref)
is available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's Electronic
Library collection on the DOS Intranet:
http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/
BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf
7. (U) Department is grateful for post's assistance in this
matter.
RICE
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