Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PANAMA1526
2005-07-18 21:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS PANAMA 001526
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC PM LABOR HUMAN RIGHTSPOLMIL
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-957672
REF: STATE 117172
UNCLAS PANAMA 001526
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC PM LABOR HUMAN RIGHTSPOLMIL
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-957672
REF: STATE 117172
1. (U) Per reftel, Embassy confirmed the bona fides of
Armunex with Panama's corporate registry. Armunex is an
abbreviation for Armas, Municiones, and Explosivos and is
part of the company Grupo Seguridad Especial (GSE). GSE also
operates a security company (Vigilancia Especial) with 250
security agents and a security alarm monitoring service
(Movialarm). Pablo Aued, Legal Advisor at the Public Safety
Directorate in Panama's Ministry of Government and Justice
(MOGJ) presented PolOff with resolution 08/DISP/05, dated
January 8, 2005, approving the purchase of the 100 Taurus
revolvers (reftel). Aued also vouched for the owners of
Armunex, describing them as "serious people." Edgardo
Orillac is Armunex's president.
2. (U) On July 15, 2005, EmbOffs conducted a site visit to
Armunex and met with General Director, Eduardo Diaz. Diaz
told EmbOffs that the business has existed for 12 years. He
stated that the weapons will be used by security agents who
work for Vigilancia Especial. Additionally, Armunex sells
weapons to other security companies and private individuals.
Diaz said he had no weapons samples to show because Armunex's
inventory was depleted. For that reason, Armunex is ordering
guns from the U.S. for the first time in three years. Diaz
described his customers as "high end businesses" and listed
many well-known Panamanian companies as his clients. He
estimates that 30 of the weapons in the present order will be
kept by Armunex for use by Vigilancia Especial's security
agents and the remaining 70 will be sold to other security
agencies and private individuals. Diaz showed us the files
of recent weapon sales by Armunex and also provided a tour of
his facility where classroom training for security guards was
on-going. A security alarm monitoring center also operates
on the site.
3. (U) By all appearances, Armunex is a legitimate well-run
business.
WATT
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC PM LABOR HUMAN RIGHTSPOLMIL
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-957672
REF: STATE 117172
1. (U) Per reftel, Embassy confirmed the bona fides of
Armunex with Panama's corporate registry. Armunex is an
abbreviation for Armas, Municiones, and Explosivos and is
part of the company Grupo Seguridad Especial (GSE). GSE also
operates a security company (Vigilancia Especial) with 250
security agents and a security alarm monitoring service
(Movialarm). Pablo Aued, Legal Advisor at the Public Safety
Directorate in Panama's Ministry of Government and Justice
(MOGJ) presented PolOff with resolution 08/DISP/05, dated
January 8, 2005, approving the purchase of the 100 Taurus
revolvers (reftel). Aued also vouched for the owners of
Armunex, describing them as "serious people." Edgardo
Orillac is Armunex's president.
2. (U) On July 15, 2005, EmbOffs conducted a site visit to
Armunex and met with General Director, Eduardo Diaz. Diaz
told EmbOffs that the business has existed for 12 years. He
stated that the weapons will be used by security agents who
work for Vigilancia Especial. Additionally, Armunex sells
weapons to other security companies and private individuals.
Diaz said he had no weapons samples to show because Armunex's
inventory was depleted. For that reason, Armunex is ordering
guns from the U.S. for the first time in three years. Diaz
described his customers as "high end businesses" and listed
many well-known Panamanian companies as his clients. He
estimates that 30 of the weapons in the present order will be
kept by Armunex for use by Vigilancia Especial's security
agents and the remaining 70 will be sold to other security
agencies and private individuals. Diaz showed us the files
of recent weapon sales by Armunex and also provided a tour of
his facility where classroom training for security guards was
on-going. A security alarm monitoring center also operates
on the site.
3. (U) By all appearances, Armunex is a legitimate well-run
business.
WATT