VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #7106 3082155
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 032144Z NOV 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0000
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0000
INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0000
RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD 0000
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC 0000
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC 0000
UNCLAS STATE 117106
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
BEIRUT FOR ANDREW LEINBERGER
BERLIN FOR SHANE PETERSEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EG ETTC GM KOMC LE
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK
ON LICENSE 050057708
REF: 2006 BLUE LANTERN GUIDEBOOK
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 Posts' assistance in conducting
a post-shipment check on license 050057708 for the export of
ammunition to Lebanon. Posts are requested to complete this
Blue Lantern check within 45 days. Lack of response to a Blue
Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses
involving parties to this license.
3. (SBU) Reason for Request: To verify the end-use and
receipt of this large quantity of ammunition. According to
data acquired through the Automated Export System (AES), a
significant amount of ammunition was shipped to Egypt on 23
June 2008, against this export authorization (AES Shipping
Number 105437). If confirmed, this would constitute an export
to an unauthorized end-user in violation of the Arms Export
Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms
Regulation (ITAR). This request is for posts to verify with
the Lebanese Internal Security Forces the quantity of
ammunition ordered and received against this export
authorization. Posts are also requested to determine, to the
extent possible, if any shipment of ammunition was exported
under this license to any end-users not listed on this
authorization.
4. (SBU) Action Request: Embassy Beirut should make the
appropriate inquiries with officials of the Lebanese Internal
Security Forces to determine the quantity of ammunition that
was ordered and received and to determine why such a large
quantity is needed. Embassies Beirut and Berlin are also
requested to make appropriate inquiries with representatives
of Mercantile Trading Company and Logi-Sped GMBH,
respectively, to determine if any ammunition under this
license was shipped to end-users other than the Lebanese
Internal Security Forces. The following points are included
for guidance:
(Action Embassy Beirut)
To the Lebanese Internal Security Forces--
-- Did the Lebanese Internal Security Forces order the
ammunition listed below? If so, what quantity of ammunition
was ordered? What quantity of the listed ammunition was
received? For what end-use did the Lebanese Internal Security
Forces order such a large quantity of ammunition? Was any of
the ammunition shipped outside the borders of Lebanon? If so,
please explain the circumstances under which this was done.
Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of
U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on
re-transfer or re-export?
To Mercantile Trading Company--
-- What was Mercantile Trading Company's role in this
transaction? Did the company ever have physical possession of
the ammunition listed below? What quantity of ammunition was
ordered by the Lebanese Internal Security Forces? Can you
verify the quantity of the listed ammunition that was
received? Was any ammunition on this license shipped to an
end-user other than the Lebanese Internal Security Forces?
Was any ammunition on this license shipped anywhere outside
the borders of Lebanon? Are you familiar with the regulations
governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles,
including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export?
(Action Embassy Berlin)
To Logi-Sped GMBH--
-- What was Logi-Sped GMBH's role in this transaction? Did
the company ever have physical possession of the ammunition
listed below? What quantity of ammunition was ordered by the
Lebanese Internal Security Forces? Can you verify the
quantity of the listed ammunition that was received? Was any
ammunition on this license shipped to an end-user other than
the Lebanese Internal Security Forces? Was any ammunition on
this license shipped anywhere outside the borders of Lebanon?
Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of
U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on
re-transfer or re-export?
In its reply, Posts may also comment on any other information
pertinent to these transactions such as security of
facilities and concerns about the entities involved.
5. (U) Details of license application:
DTC Case: 050057708
QUANTITY/COMMODITY:
10,000,000 Centerfire Ammunition, Calibers 5.56mm, 9mm, and
40S
License Value: USD $2,200,000
SELLER:
Olin Corporation Winchester Division
427 N. Shamrock Street
East Alton, IL 62024
FOREIGN INTERMEDIATE CONSIGNEE:
Mercantile Trading Co.
PO Box 14-5448
Ground Floor, Sakr Building Saeb Salam Avenue (Corniche al
Mazraa)
Beirut 11052040
POC: Mohamad Jamil
Tel: 961-1-739859
Logi-Sped GMBH, Niederl Hamburg
Am Windhukkai 5
Hamburg, Germany
(No further information received)
FOREIGN END-USER:
Lebanese Internal Security Forces
Headquarters. Hotel Dieu Street
Beirut, Lebanon
POC: General Ahmad Hneini
Tel: 961-1-422138
PURPOSE:
For use by the Lebanese Internal Security Forces
6. (U) Submitted in support of the license application were
the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to
Posts upon request):
DSP-83 signed by General Achraf Rifi on 07/17/2007 and BJ
Ambrosi on 07/20/2007
Purchase order from Mercantile Trading Co. dated 07/17/2007
signed by Mohamad Jamil
Letter of End-Use (Doc. No. 69) issued by the General
Directorate of the Internal Security Forces on 07/17/2007
signed by General Achraf Rifi
7. (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 Kyle M. Ballard, Phone:
202-663-1929; Email: BallardKM@state.gov; SIPRNET:
BallardKM@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is
available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's E-Book
Collection on the DOS Intranet:
http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/
BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf
8. (U) Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this
matter.
RICE