INDEPENDENT NEWS

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

Published: Thu 5 Jun 2008 03:45 AM
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMO #1594 1570345
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050345Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8420
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD
UNCLAS MOSCOW 001594
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DDTC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC RS KOMC
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: COMPLETED PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK
ON LICENSE 050104476
REF: STATE 56172
1. (U) Summary: Arsenal Hunting Equipment representatives confirmed
their company wanted to import reftel firearms under license
050104476. The company was established in 1994 under the name
V.V.V. Ltd., and the three original owners still serve as the
company President and Vice Presidents. Arsenal Hunting Equipment
sold about 100 such firearms last year, which company officials said
could be used to hunt large game. Post verified the bona fides of
Arsenal Hunting Equipment and recommends it as a reliable end-user
of United States Munitions List (USML) items. End Summary.
2. (U) In a May 30 meeting, Arsenal Hunting Equipment General
Director Valeriy Sevastiyanov and International Procurement Manager
Irina Zazdravnykh told us Arsenal Hunting Equipment was established
in 1994. Its original name was V.V.V. Ltd., and the name was
changed to Arsenal Hunting Equipment in December 2007. The company
has three owners: company President Valeriy Startsov, Vice
President Vladimir Cherivichniy, and Vice President Aleksandr
Seleznov. Sevastiyanov has served as the General Director since
1997. The Deputy General Director is Nikolai Sirdorkin.
3. (U) Sevastiyanov provided us with copies of licensing documents
that give Arsenal Hunting Equipment the right to import firearms.
4. (U) Sevastiyanov told us the ultimate end users of these firearms
will be private hunters. He said Russian hunters use such firearms
to hunt bear, elk, and bison. He added that some hunters might use
these firearms to hunt big game on safari in Africa.
5. (U) Sevastiyanov told us that Arsenal Hunting Equipment used to
import such firearms from Germany and Austria, but now wanted to
purchase U.S.-made firearms. In 2007, he said, Arsenal Hunting
Equipment sold approximately 100 such firearms, while other
companies in Moscow sold hundreds more.
6. (U) Sevastiyanov told us they were familiar with the restrictions
governing the import of USML commodities, and in particular the
prohibition of unauthorized re-export. Post confirms the bona fides
of Arsenal Hunting Equipment as a reliable end-user of USML items.
RUSSELL
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