VZCZCXYZ0031
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMD #1126 3271558
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231558Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1479
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1548
UNCLAS MADRID 001126
SIPDIS
FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR AND RACHAEL-THERESE S.
JOUBERT-LIN
STACIE ZERDECKI, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SP
SUBJECT: FAVORABLE REPLY TO BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY
CASE NO. K-1914 (RAFAEL F. GARCIA)
REF: A. STATE 99586
B. MADRID 722
1. Pursuant to reftel A request for input on the bona fides
of registered broker Rafael Garcia Tudela, General Manager of
Europavia Espana, S.A., Post reiterates its favorable
assessment of both Europavia and Mr. Garcia. As reported
(ref B) subsequent to a July 2009 site visit to calle Jorge
Juan 30, including a thorough company presentation, Post
considers Europavia and Mr. Garcia to be reliable brokers and
recipients of United States Munitions List (USML) items.
Subject broker is known well and favorably to the U.S.
Commercial Service, which has facilitated contacts between
Europavia and U.S. companies seeking Spanish partners.
Europavia enjoys an excellent reputation and represents
several U.S. firms in Spain. The following information is
keyed to the questions found at paragraph 4 (ref A) and
reiterates information provided previously in ref B.
2. Post confirms that this entity is in the business of
brokering defense articles and defense services at the
location indicated under its legal name.
3. Yes, Europavia is a regular supplier, primarily for
military aircraft maintenance, registered with the Spanish
Ministry of Defense Directorate General for Armament and
Material (DGAM) (ref B). Post has no derogatory information
on Europavia and no reason to suspect the company's
involvement with proscribed entities.
4. Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items
on behalf of its clients? If so, does it have secure
facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for
handling sensitive USML items? Europavia does not habitually
store USML items or any other components ordered on behalf of
its clients. Its warehouse, while secure, can only
accommodate a small volume of goods. Most equipment is
delivered to the warehouse space in the garage below its
offices and subsequently leaves via courier services.
5. When was the company established and who are its
principals? How many employees? As reported ref B,
Europavia was established in 1965 and employs 15 people in
its Madrid office. Europavia is privately held, wholly owned
by principal French shareholder Eurotradia International, a
consulting and services industry (ref B), which is in turn
held by major European entities. Rafael Garcia Tudela is
General Manager of the Madrid-based Europavia. Miguel Angel
Tapia Carrasco, considered by USCS to be "one of the best
professionals in this sector" is the company's general
counsel or "delegate counselor."
6. What is the nature of its business and what other types
of items does it handle? Please see reftel B, paras 6 and 7.
7. What types of organizations are among its typical clients
and in what countries are they located? Please see reftel B,
paras 6, 7, and 9.
8. Does the company understand the restrictions on USML
items, especially the prohibition against unauthorized
re-transfers and re-exports? YES. Nonetheless, Rafael
Garcia, the subject of this tasking and report, sought Post's
assistance in July 2009 in clarifying when the company's
transactions might be subject to end-use prohibitions.
Please see reftel B, para 8 for Garcia's specific questions
(to date unanswered by PM/DTCC) about significant military
equipment vs. dual-use items. Post would appreciate a direct
PM/DTCC point of contact for Mr. Garcia in this regard, in
the event the company has recommendations for the periodic
review of the USML.
CHACON