Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ISLAMABAD7423
2006-04-27 05:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION CHECK:

Tags:  BMGT ETTC PK 
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P 270541Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO SECSTATE WASHDC 6581
US CUSTOMS SERVICE WASHINGTON DC
AMCONSUL HONG KONG
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 007423 


USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/R.JERESKI
USDOC FOR 3131/USFCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR BOBETTE
ORR/RKREISSL

STATE FOR EB/ESP

U.S. CUSTOMS HQ FOR STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

HONG KONG FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BMGT ETTC PK

SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION CHECK:
ADVANCED ENGINEERING RESEARCH ORGANIZATION. (NO LICENSE
REQUIRED)

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 007423


USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/R.JERESKI
USDOC FOR 3131/USFCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR BOBETTE
ORR/RKREISSL

STATE FOR EB/ESP

U.S. CUSTOMS HQ FOR STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

HONG KONG FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BMGT ETTC PK

SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION CHECK:
ADVANCED ENGINEERING RESEARCH ORGANIZATION. (NO LICENSE
REQUIRED)


1. On March 7, 2006, EconOff and FCS FSN visited Advanced
Engineering Research Organization (AERO),located at Air
Weapons Complex (AWC),Haripur Road, Wah. The purpose of the
visit was to conduct a Post Shipment Verification check on
the shipment of a "Digital Compass Module" exported by GECS,
Inc., 500 Dobbin Court, Accokeek, MD 20607.



2. At the AERO facility, the USG staff met with Wing
Commander (Retired) Muhammad Anwar Hamid, Director Logistics
(Tel: 92-51-90182015, Fax: 92-51-90187228, Email:
janjua742@hotmail.com, Cellphone: 92-300-5005917). Wing Cdr.
Hamid, along with two other technical staff, spent
approximately twenty minutes explaining the end use of the
three sets of Honeywell HMR 3000 compass modules he had
displayed on his desk. According to Hamid, the Pakistan Air
Force (PAF) is installing these modules in an attempt to
increase the navigational accuracy of its Mirage fleet. The
PAF is not satisfied with the accuracy of the Chinese-made
"flex valves" currently used in its aircraft. The compass
modules are still in a testing phase; PAF will decide
whether or not to install the modules in its entire fleet
upon completion of the testing. AERO says it will purchase
dozens more compass modules, but not necessarily from a U.S.
company, if the testing results in increased navigational
accuracy.



3. USG staff also questioned Hamid about the role of AERO.
According to Hamid, AERO is an independent research and
consultancy division under the Ministry of Defense; its sole
client is the PAF. Hamid stated that AERO is co-located
with the Air Weapons Complex (AWC),but works independently
of it. The USG staff noted concern about the time (first
access request sent to AERO in June 2005) it had taken to
schedule the AERO PSV. Hamid said that he would bring this
to the attention of his superior officers and would look
into streamlining the procedure for any future checks.
Hamid stated that scheduling took so long because AERO had
to first get approval from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) to grant USG officials access; it was the MFA
who contacted USG officials to schedule the PSV. It may be
noted that AERO is located approximately 60 km NE of
Islamabad and AERO provided a roundtrip-armed escort to the
USG staff on this visit; as a result, USG staff had no
difficulty accessing the facility.



4. It seemed apparent from the discussion with AERO
officials that the PAF uses the compass modules for
navigational purposes. The AERO reps seemed knowledgeable
about the PAF's future requirements and Hamid gave a brief
talk on the PAF's new JF-7 aircraft that are being
manufactured with Chinese collaboration. It must be noted,
however, that aside from the main office building, USG
officials did not visit (nor ask to do so) any other
locations on the AWC compound. Apparently, AERO and AWC are
part of Pakistan's military establishment and certain
restrictions apply for non-military personnel visiting this
site.



5. Recommendation: At this time Post does not have any
adverse information on AERO and has no evidence that the
item listed in this PSV check has been used for any
application other than that stated by the AERO officials.
However, AERO is located within the same extended compound
as the Air Weapons Complex, which is a classified military
site. Based on our meeting with AERO and the scant
information that we have on this organization, at this time
Post is not in a position to confirm nor challenge the
reliability of AERO as an end user of higher-end U.S.
technology.

Crocker


NNNN




End Cable Text