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SIPDIS
PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY FOR JOUBERT-LIN AND
PM/DTC/CRD PAULA HARRIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SF
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF REGISTERED
BROKER CLIVE DIGNON -- CASE K-2626
REF: STATE 100104
1. Please see guidance request at Paragraph Five.
2. Deputy Political Counselor visited the entity discussed in
reftel, Dynamic Instrumentation Company, and met with owner
Clive Dignon on October 2. Post confirms that the company is
in business at the location listed in reftel, 8 Methwold
Road, Saxonwold, Johannesburg. Dignon acknowledged that his
company sells infrared cameras of U.S. origin. Dignon and his
wife bought the company in 2004 and now employ a staff of
seven people to market high-end technical equipment to major
companies in South Africa.
3. Dignon lists among his customers South Africa's national
electricity company ESKOM, as well as major corporate
customers, including Coca Cola and Netcare Hospital. Dignon
told us he worked with the Commercial Attache's office to
develop the leads that have enabled him to market U.S.-origin
infrared cameras in South Africa. Dignon's displays his
company's business license on his office wall.
4. Asked whether Dynamic Instrumentation marketed U.S.-origin
equipment outside of South Africa, Dignon said that his
company markets equipment on a limited basis to companies in
Mozambique, but that his customers for the U.S.-made cameras
are all South African. Dignon indicated that he is aware of
U.S. Munitions List restrictions, including the prohibition
against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports.
5. Guidance request: Regarding the issuance of the broker's
license, Dignon asked us why the U.S. license is dated as
issued on April 24, 2009 (to expire at the end of March 2010)
when his payment for the license was not processed until July
2009. Dignon provided POLOFF copies of correspondence between
Dynamic instrumentation and PM/DTC indicating that the
company's bank draft for the license was received on August
8, 2009. Dignon asked us to check on whether the expiration
date of the license could be amended, noting that the license
itself is rather expensive at US$1,000. Copies of the
documents Dignon gave us are being e-mailed to PM/DTC and
PM/DTCC. Please advise whether the expiration date can be
amended to reflect when the license was actually issued to
the company.
LA LIME