BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK

UNCLAS BANGKOK 004711 SIPDIS SIPDIS PM/DTCC 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 05-906361 AND 05-958497 REF: SECSTATE 117643 ¶1. On July 27, POL FSN visited the Engineering Department of the Royal Thai Army in Ratchaburi province, 100km west of Bangkok and met COL Natthasit Lamanchai, Director of the Logistics Division and his deputy, COL Bunyawat. Both officers confirmed receipt of NVDs-AN/PVS 14 as outlined in reftel in four shipments. One was a set of 9 NVDs, serial numbers 20261-20270 delivered by "Viryakit Col, LTD on July 1, 2004. The shipment was examined by three RTA officers upon arrival. The second shipment consisted of 10 NVDs, serial numbers: 32650 32653 32655 32656 32657 32660 32662 32663 32666 and 32669 This shipment was delivered on August 19, 2005 and examined by three RTA officers. The third shipment of 39 NVDs, serial numbers 46376-46399 and 46400-46414 was delivered on September 15, 2005 and examined by 3 RTA officers. The fourth shipment of 33 NVDs, serial numbers 46415-46447 was delivered on October 12, 2005 and examined by 3 RTA officers. ¶2. Both COL Natthasit and COL Bunyawat confirmed the NVDs are being used for the purpose stated on the license. The officers represent the purchasing and distribution agency for the NVDs, not the end use units. The devices in Shipment one were shipped to the RTA Special Warfare Command in Lopburi as follows: 20262 to Special Warfare Unit 5 20263 to Special Warfare Unit 4, Battalion 1 20264 and 20265 to Special Warfare Unit 1, Battalion 1 20266 to Special Warfare Unit 4, Battalion 1 20267, 20268 and 20269 to Special Warfare Unit 3 20270 to Special Warfare Unit 5 All 82 NVDs in shipments two, three and four were shipped to the 1st Special Warfare Regiment at Lopburi. ¶3. Both COL Natthasit and COL Bunyawat acknowledged, understood and are abiding by the licenses' limitations and provisos. They explained that they understand the End-User Statement and USML regulations. They acknowledged their obligation to report in writing to PM/DDTC any theft, loss or unauthorized access to the NVDs within 30 days but explained that they no longer have physical custody of the devices. They also explained that the RTA has internal investigative procedures as well. They acknowledged their responsibility to perform monthly 100 per cent physical count inventories and quarterly 100 percent serial number inventories. They explained that the RTA has additional internal procedures requiring weekly, monthly and quarterly cross checks conducted periodically by the Army Inspector General. They confirmed that the NVDs are secured in a controlled-access, monitored, double barrier protection facility. POL FSN was unable to make a spot check of NVDs image intensifier tubes since the devices are deployed in the field. Post requests guidance on whether PM/DTCC wishes POL/FSN travel to conduct an actual count and spot check at the Special Warfare Command in Lopburi. BOYCE