BLUE LANTERN, CASE 05-897361

UNCLAS ROME 004636

SIPDIS


FOR PM/DTC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETTC IT KOMC BLUE LANTERN
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN, CASE 05-897361

REF: A. STATE 253311


B. MILAN 00641


1. THIS MESSAGE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE NUMBER 05-897361, THE
EXPORT OF FOCAL PLANE ARRAYS TOTALLING USD 14,500 (REF A) TO
THE CARLO GAVAZZI COMPANY.


2. CONSULATE MILAN OFFICERS MET WITH COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES
AND CONDUCTED AN ON-SITE INSPECTION OF THE COMPANY AS
REPORTED IN REFTEL (B),AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRM APPEARED
TO BE LEGITIMATE AND ENGAGED IN THE ACTIVITIES IT CLAIMED TO
BE. HOWEVER, THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SENT A LETTER
TO THE EMBASSY DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2003, INDICATING THAT THE
FIRM DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE OFFICIAL REGISTRY OF ITALIAN
COMPANIES ALLOWED TO TRADE IN SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGIES.


3. ACCORDING TO THE AERONAUTICS DIVISION OF THE GOI MINISTRY
OF DEFENSE, THE COMPANY IS INVOLVED IN THE C130J PROGRAM OF
TRADING IN COMMERCIAL SATELLITES. IN ADDITION, THE MOD
ASSURED THE EMBASSY THAT THE COMPANY ALSO HAS A JOINT VENTURE
WITH L3 COMMUNICATIONS, A LOCKHEED-MARTIN SUBSIDIARY.


4. THE MOD RESPONSE CLEARS UP THE CONFUSION AND CONFIRMS A
SATISFACTORY FINDING. THE APPARENT CONTRADICTION BETWEEN
EMBASSY'S REFTEL (B) FINDING AND THE MFA RESPONSE MAY ARISE
BECAUSE THE GOI DOES NOT LIST THE TECHNOLOGY IN QUESTION AS
SENSITIVE AND POTENTIALLY DUAL-USE.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME04636 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED