PRE-LICENSE CHECK - BAHRAIN DEFENSE FORCE LICENSE

UNCLAS MANAMA 000357 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/DTCC TIM WATKINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KOMC ETTC BA SUBJECT: PRE-LICENSE CHECK - BAHRAIN DEFENSE FORCE LICENSE 05-951007 REF: STATE 21962 ¶1. Reftel requested a pre-license check to determine the legitimacy of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) as a recipient of sensitive U.S.-origin technology. The BDF was listed on U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security application 05-951007 as the proposed end-user of one servo cylinder and five cap ring seals for use in an AH-1 helicopter. The application was submitted by Textron Inc. of Santa Clarita, CA. Hawker Pacific Airservices LTD of the United Arab Emirates is the foreign consignee and Aston Aviation Supplies PTE LT of Singapore is the foreign intermediate consignee. ¶2. Econ/Comm Officer, accompanied by a representative of the Embassy's Office of Military Cooperation, conducted a pre-license check at BDF headquarters in Issa Town on March ¶13. Major Farooq Salim Nazmi, Director of Maintenance and Logistics, explained that the BDF has owned and operated AH-1 helicopters since the 1990's and has purchased parts through Hawker Pacific Airservices for at least fifteen years (Note: The period that Nazmi has been working for the BDF. End Note.) Post confirms that the BDF received its first AH-1 helicopter in 1993. Nazmi was open to discuss all aspects of the spare parts acquisition. He was not familiar, however, with U.S. Export Administration regulations and expressed his surprise that after twelve years of owning, operating, and repairing AH-1 helicopters, this was the first time he had encountered a pre-license check. ¶3. Recommendation: Based on visit by post, the Bahrain Defense Force appears to be a reliable recipient of U.S.-origin commodities for this transaction. The BDF has a long-established working relationship with Hawker Pacific Airservices LTD and a proven record of responsibly owning and operating AH-1 helicopters. Post is not in a position to verify the legitimacy of foreign intermediate consignee Aston Aviation Supplies PTE LT and recommends that, should there be any outstanding questions, PM/DTCC contact the Blue Lantern coordinator in Singapore. MONROE