VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMO #1160 1161151
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251151Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7774
RHMFIUU/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MOSCOW 001160
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/JHOWARD
USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: COMIMPEX,
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D393772
REFTEL: USDOC 01973
1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided
below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export
Administration Act.
2. Reftel requested a Pre-license check to determine
the legitimacy and reliability of the end-user,
Comimpex, Moscow, Russia. The company is listed on BIS
license application D393772 as the ultimate consignee
of air cartridges, taser kits and tasercam, extended
range electronic projectile, quantity:200. These items
are controlled for crime control reasons under ECCN
OA985. The licensee is Taser International, Inc.,
17800 N. 85th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
3. On April 18, 2008, Export Control Attache Peter
Liston and LES Natalya Shipitsina conducted the
requested pre-license check at the offices of
Comimpex, Ryabinovaya st., 47, Moscow, Russia. The
export control team met with Vladimir Abramov, General
Director of Inforcom and Comimpex Companies.
4. Vladimir Abramov, DBA Inforcom and Comimpex, owns
and operates a well established electronics and IP
import and retails sales business in Russia. Inforcom
was established in 1988 and is the 2nd largest retail
distributor of U.S. manufactured PolkAudio speakers in
the world. Vladimir Abramov travels regularly to the
United States on both business (related to PlokAudio)
and pleasure. Abramov has attended numerous trade
shows in the United States. It was a trade show in
Las Vegas approximately 6 years ago where Abramov was
introduced to Taser International and their line of
products. When Taser recently released a consumer
line of products for the commercial market, that
included a women's line, he decided that it was the
right time to enter into market. Abramov met with
Taser International in the United States and received
exclusive rights to sell the product in Russia.
Abramov established the company Comimpex approximately
3 months ago solely for the importation and marketing
of the Taser product.
5. Vladimir Abramov employs approximately 17 people
at this time. Abramov is expanding his operations and
relocating to a larger office/warehouse complex that
is under construction. The Moscow Export Control Team
was given a tour of the new office location, which
will house only Abramov's businesses and will include
the latest security system available on the market.
Abramov is familiar with the licensing restrictions
with the commodity in reftel and has the technical and
commercial sophistication to market it under the terms
of his exclusive contract with Taser and Commerce
License.
6. Recommendations: Post recommends Comimpex, Moscow,
Russia, as reliable recipients of sensitive U.S.
origin commodities. It is requested that post be
notified of final disposition of the application, and
of any shipments for this organization in order to
conduct appropriate FCS follow-up and statistical
reporting.
(FCS MOSCOW/BTHORN/PLISTON)
BURNS