BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK

UNCLAS BANGKOK 004635 SIPDIS SIPDIS PM/DTTC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR JSTITZIEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC TH SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSES 05-949353 AND 05-949357 REF: SECSTATE 117642 ¶1. Pol FSN visited the Border Patrol Police Bureau's (BPPB) Headquarters in Bangkok on July 26, 2006 and met with Police COL Phanphong Suksirimat, Superintendent of Logistics, and Senior Police SGT MAJ Kitttisak Khongrangsan and Police SGT MAJ Phaison Ukhao-unam, the officials managing the purchase of Night Vision Devices (NVD). ¶2. The three officials confirmed receipt of the two shipments of NVD outlined in reftel. One was a lot of 20 NVDs serial numbers RS 16008-RS 16025 and RS 16027-RS 16028 which the contractor, "Viriyakit Co., LTD." had delivered to the BPPB on May 6, 2005. BPPB designated three police officers to examine and receive the shipment on May 18, 2005. This lot of equipment was pursuant to BPPB Purchase Order No. SO 12/2547, dated April 21, 2004, signed by Deputy BPPB Commissioner Police Major General Boworn Songkasiri and the Viriyakit Col, LTD. Boworn has since retired. ¶3. The second lot of 40 NVDs, serial numbers RS 16307-RS 16346 was delivered by Viriyakit Col, LTD on May 20, 2005 and was examined by three police officers prior to receipt on June 22, 2005. This lot was pursuant to BPPB Purchase Order No. SO 35/47, dated September 30, 2004, signed by BPPB Commissioner Police LTG Sarot Panya and the Viriyakit Co., LTD. ¶4. The NVDs are distributed among BPPB regional offices as follows: BPPB Regional 4 HQ in Songkhla 2 devices BPPB Sub-Division 11 in Chanthaburi 1 device BPPB Sub-Division 13 in Kanchanaburi 2 devices BPPB Sub-Division 14 in Prachuap Khirikhan 1 device BPPB Sub-Division 21 in Surin 1 device BPPB Sub-Division 22 in Ubon Ratchathani 1 device BPPB Sub-Division 31 in Phitsanulok 1 device BPPB Sub-Division 41 in Chumphon 3 devices BPPB Sub-Division 42 in Nakhon Sithammarat 5 devices BPPB Sub-Division 43 in Songkhla 10 devices BPPB Sub-Division 44 in Yala 23 devices BPPB Training Sub-Division 8 in Nakhon Sithammarat 1 device BPPB Training Sub-Division 9 in Songkhla 1 device BPPB Airborne Reinforcement Sub-Division in Phetchaburi 8 devices ¶5. The officials acknowledged that they understood and are abiding by the licenses' limitations and provisos. They demonstrated clear understanding of End-User and USML regulations, however, their unit does not possess or use the NVDs. The officials were uncertain whether the commanders of the units outlined above are briefed on the provisos. ¶6. The officials are aware of requirements that they must report in writing any loss, theft or unauthorized access in writing to PM/DDTC. To date, there have been no incidents. BPPB procedures are to punish any official who loses or destroys a device unless damage is the result of a clash with criminals. ¶7. The officials acknowledged the requirement to perform monthly 100 per cent physical count inventories and quarterly 100 per cent serial number inventories. They perform the monthly inspection but are uncertain whether the quarterly inspection is performed. ¶8. The NVDs were housed in a controlled-acess, monitored, double barrier protection facility prior to their being issued to the field. The officials reported that the NVDs are stored in appropriate facilities in the field, but POL FSN was unable to inspect any of those sites in person. ¶9. POL FSN was also unable to make a spot check of the NVDs' image intensifier tubes since the equipment has been distributed around the country. Post requests guidance from PM/DTCC whether the Department wishes us to inspect the 12 facilities located around the country. Please note: considerable expense and time would be involved. ARVIZU