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

UNCLAS KINGSTON 002144 SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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 05-969107 REF: STATE 144361 ¶1. (SBU) On August 22, Poloff spoke with Senior Superintendent XXX of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). XXX explained that the JCF is currently participating in a training course led by London-based Task International (http://www.task-int.com). The technical training includes segments on hostage rescue, public order, and other policing activities, including sniper training. Twelve people will receive the sniper training: six teams, each with one sniper and one spotter. Fairclough added that the JCF was advised by Task International to purchase six sniper rifles, which would be used in the training course. He said that the weapons will not be used by untrained officers. Fairclough said he was grateful for Poloff's call and invited Embassy personnel to observe the training, if desired. ¶2. (SBU) One August 31, Poloff spoke with Mark Waller, Political Affairs Officer at the British High Commission in Kingston. Waller said that the High Commission was aware of but was not funding the police training by U.K. contractor Task International. He said that the JCF originally sought to import sniper rifles from the U.K., but London refused the request based on consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. Specifically, their concerns included what they deemed to be the JCF's insufficient accountability measures, weapons handling procedures, maintenance schedules, and poor human rights record. In addition, London reported that the JCF had not yet decided where the weapons would be stored, and that the exported weapons "might be diverted to an undesirable end user." ¶3. (SBU) Post recommends deferring the approval of this export application until the JCF's anti-kidnap unit is operational. To date, the unit has been formed but is in its very early stages. Post also recommends that approval be deferred until the JCF can establish definitively where the weapons will be stored and whether any accountability measures have been implemeted in perparation for the arrival of these weapons. TURNER