VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0973 2812325
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 072325Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9474
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7780
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 4000
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3216
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ OCT LIMA 2840
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0953
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3844
UNCLAS QUITO 000973
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC EC
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN RESPONSE - LICENSES 050117804,
050117818, 050117829 AND 050117848
REF: STATE 90321
1. (SBU) Post confirms completion of a pre-license check on
licenses 050117804, 050117818, 050117829 and 050117848 for
the export of automatic weapons and grenade launchers to
Ecuador. Post also confirms that the end-user, Armada del
Ecuador, has legitimately ordered the defense articles listed
in reftel, to be purchased from MLM International Corp
through consignee MG Suber and Associates.
2. (SBU) In establishing the bona fides of the purchase
request, Post spoke with Fabian Jarrin Moreno, Commander of
the Ecuadorian Marines Corps and the end user certification
official for the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Moreno confirmed
that the orders for the firearms listed on the license
applications in reftel were legitimate. He noted that the
GOE is purchasing this large quantity of firearms and grenade
launchers to equip the increased number of military personnel
in the Northern Border region, specifically in the areas of
General Farfan and various posts along the Putumayo River of
Sucumbios province, as well as other Ecuadorian Marine Corps
units in the environs near the cities of San Lorenzo and
Esmeraldas in Esmeraldas province.
3. (SBU) In general, weapons are not being displaced with
this purchase. Rather, the purchase represents an increase
in equipment to support the Ecuadorian military's operations
in the Northern Border region.
4. (SBU) Post further notes that this transaction supports
our theater security cooperation strategy and is in the USG's
interests in the region. Post recommends approval of this
purchase.
HODGES