Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINGSTON2144
2005-09-13 21:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  ETTC KOMC JM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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