BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON

UNCLAS KINGSTON 002061 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC JM SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON APPLICATION 05-965484 REF: STATE 144232 (U) On August 23, Poloff spoke with Major Richard Reese, Commissioner of Corrections, Jamaica Department of Correctional Services (JDCS). Reese confirmed his organization's export application for 140 automatic weapons for official use by the JDCS. He explained that the JDCS is currently severely under-armed: the organization has 385 non-functioning automatic Ruger Mini-14s that are "too old to repair," but can only afford to replace 140 of them. Reese said that, as a stop-gap measure, he has purchased some shotguns for his guards, and has enlisted the help of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) in guarding the island's largest pre-trial remand center. Reese added that the model of firearm that the JDCS uses is dictated by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF),whose armory is used to repair JDCS weapons. He said that the JDF also uses these particular weapons. Reese added that he is grateful for U.S. assistance in this matter. TIGHE