Cablegate: Lebanon: Blue Lantern Level 3: Post Shipment

VZCZCXRO4151
PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLB #1790 3590413
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240413Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3843
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001790

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ELA
PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST SHIPMENT
END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050055911- BUSHMASTER CARBINES

REF: STATE 117107

1. (SBU) In response to reftel, questions regarding export
license application 050055911 for the export of carbines to
the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) in Lebanon, Post
confirms that this is a legitimate ISF purchase. In
coordination with Embassy's Office of Defense Coordination
(ODC) and Office of International Narcotics and Law (INL)
Chief Virginia Ramadan, we confirm the following background
information:

2. (SBU) Embassy PolMil officer and INL Section Chief
Virginia Ramadan met with ISF General Director, Major General
Achraf Rifi and General Ahmad Hneini of the ISF General
Directorate on December 15 and with General Hneini and
Mohammad Jamil, General Manager of the Mercantile Trading
Company on December 16.

3. (SBU) General Hneini confirmed that the ISF placed the
order for:
- 400 Bushmaster M4A3-type Carbines, Model XM15E2S
- 200 Bushmaster C-15 P21S Tactical Compact Carbines
- 100 Bushmaster M203 40mm Grenade Launchers
- 1400 Bushmaster 30 round Magazines

4. (SBU) General Hneini confirmed the ISF had placed the
order in July 2007. Additionally, he confirmed that all the
items on the license were delivered to and accounted for by
the ISF . He denied any weapons or rounds were diverted from
or shipped outside of Lebanon. Mr. Jamil presented Bills of
Lading, and shipping receipts that accounted for all the
items.

5. (U) Post confirms that the Lebanese ISF is familiar with
the regulations governing import of U.S.-origin defense
articles, including restrictions on re-transfer and
re-export.
SISON

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