PRE-LICENSE CHECK ON AIMS NDT BV, EXPORT

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001615

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 3133/USFCS/OIO/OWE/ESLETTEN/PBUCHER
USDOC FOR 4212/USFCS/MAC/EUR/OWE/DDEFALCO
USDOC FOR 532/OEA/ST WADDY/MICHELLE ZAGER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP KOMC ETTC NL
SUBJECT: PRE-LICENSE CHECK ON AIMS NDT BV, EXPORT
LICENSE APPLICATION NUMBER D308439

REF: USDOC 02279


1. PER REF 02279, THE BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND
SECURITY REQUESTED POST THE HAGUE TO CONDUCT A PRE-
LICENSE CHECK ON AIMS NDT B.V. SUBJECT COMPANY HAS
BEEN APPOINTED AS THE DUTCH DISTRIBUTOR OF FLIR
SYSTEMS' E2 THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS, WHICH CONTAIN
UNCOOLED MICROBOLOMETER CONTROLLED FOR NUCLEAR NON-
PROLIFERATION AND ANTI-TERRORISM REASONS.


2. SENIOR COMMERCIAL OFFICER AUGUST MAFFRY AND FSN
NATASHA KEYLARD VISITED AIMS NDT B.V., LOCATED IN
VELSERBROEK, ON JUNE 23, 2003, AND MET WITH THE
COMPANY'S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR. ROBERT VAN DIJK
AND THE SALES MANAGER, MR. THEO VAN ELSWIJK. THE
COMPANY OFFICIALS EXPLAINED THAT FROM AN
ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE, A NUMBER OF COMPANIES
WERE INVOLVED IN THE EXPORT LICENSE APPLICATION.
THE COMPANIES INCLUDE FLIR SYSTEMS BELGIUM (AIMS
NDT B.V.'S MAIN POINT OF CONTACT),FLIR SYSTEMS
SWEDEN (WHICH WILL MANUFACTURE THE CAMERA),FLIR
SYSTEMS INC IN PORTLAND, OREGON (THE LICENSE
APPLICANT) AND OF COURSE AIMS NDT B.V. IF AND
WHEN THE EXPORT LICENSE IS APPROVED, THE SWEDISH
OFFICE WILL MANUFACTURE THE CAMERA AND SEND IT
DIRECTLY TO THE END-USER. AIMS NDT B.V. WILL
NEVER PHYSICALLY HAVE THE CAMERA IN ITS
POSSESSION.


3. AIMS NDT B.V. WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975. IT
DISTRIBUTES NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (NDT)
INSTRUMENTATION AND IT PRODUCES TEST SYSTEMS,
PRIMARILY FOR ENGINE TESTING. CURRENTLY, THE
COMPANY HAS ONE THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA IN
POSSESSION, WHICH IS USED FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND
SALES PROMOTION ACTIVITIES. THIS CAMERA IS LOCKED-
UP WHEN IT IS NOT BEING USED.


4. EMBASSY OFFICIALS INFORMED COMPANY OFFICIALS OF
THEIR DUTY TO ADHERE TO U.S. EXPORT REGULATIONS.
COMPANY OFFICIALS SAID THEY UNDERSTOOD. MOREOVER,
THEY ADDED THAT THEIR END-USERS HAVE BEEN MADE
AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS AS RECIPIENTS OF
SENSITIVE U.S. PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY THE
PROHIBIITON ON SALE OR REEXPORT.


5. CONCLUSION: POST CONDUCTED THIS PRE-LICENSE
CHECK IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED.
MR. VAN DIJK AND MR. VAN ELSWIJK WERE COURTEOUS,
HELPFUL AND FORTHCOMING IN THEIR PROVISION OF
INFORMATION. THEY APPEARED CONSCIENTIOUS AND THE
FIRM PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED. AIMS NDT B.V. APPEARS
SUITABLE TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED ITEMS.
(CS THE HAGUE/KEYLARD/MAFFRY) SOBEL