FRANCE: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE

UNCLAS PARIS 002297 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC FR SUBJECT: FRANCE: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON APPLICATIONS 05-947780 AND 05-947779 REF: 04 STATE 273668 ¶1. As requested reftel, Post reached out to the two end users indicated in the applications in question. Our initial letters went unanswered for several weeks. No telephone numbers or email addresses were provided or were readily available. However, by the entity names and addresses, we quickly surmised that both "Base Aeronavale Lanveoc-Poulmic" and "E.P.A.N Lan Bihoue Entrepot Principal Aeronaval" were French military entities, i.e. not private companies. We have attempted to gain information directly from the headquarters of the French military procurement office, Delegation Generale d'Armament or DGA, but have not yet received a response. ¶2. In early April, our regional office (American Presence Post) in Rennes was able to further research the matter as well as identify and speak to Mr. Collet of the Poulmic Naval Air Base in Lanveoc. APP Rennes confirmed that E.P.A.N, which stands for Entrepot Principal Aeronaval or central aeronaval warehouse, in Lann Bihoue near Lorient only deals with fixed wing aircraft and does not work at all with helicopter maintenance and so would have no need for helicopter spare parts. Mr. Collet was identified as the head of the regional maintenance unit in Brittany. He said that the Poulmic Naval Air Base does work with Super Frelon helicopters, but he knew of only one order for one "set of bearings." Collet said that perhaps Eurocopter had ordered additional the spare parts, but he was unaware of it. ¶3. Until we get a response from DGA, we will be unable to verify that the end user is aware of the order or verify there is a valid need for these spare parts. Leach