EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: VF COMPANY,

UNCLAS MOSCOW 010720

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/DMUSLU
USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA
USDOC FOR 532/OEE/MO'BRIEN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: VF COMPANY,
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D363051

REFTEL: USDOC 04895


1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided
below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export
Administration Act.


2. Reftel requested a Pre-license check to determine
the legitimacy and reliability of the end-user, Vtoroy
Front Company (VF Company),Moscow, Russia. The
company is listed on BIS license application D363051
as the ultimate consignee of holographic sighting
device used as uni-powered optical sight for
consumer/tactical, firearms applications. These items
are controlled for foreign policy reasons under ECCN
OA987. The licensee is L-3 Communications, 1215 South
Clark st., Suite 1004, Arlington, VA 22202.


3. On September 13, 2006, Export Control Attache
Donald Pearce and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted the
requested pre-license check at the offices of VF
Company, 9/2 Gen. Glagoleva st., Moscow, Russia. The
export control team met with Anton Linkvist,
President.


4. VF Company was founded in 1995 by Mr. Linkvist and
his brother, and continues to be a family run
business. "Vtorny Front" is Russian for "Second
Front," and is an homage to the U.S. forces who opened
up the western front during Second World War, a move
seen as critical to the success of the Red Army on the
eastern front. VF specializes in tactical clothing
and accessories, and is a primary contractor for
Government of Russia (GOR) military and law
enforcement special operations units such as the
Federal Security Service (Russian abbreviation FSB)
"ALPHA" unit, the Minsitry of Internal Affairs
(Russian Abbrviaion MVD) "OMON" (Special Purpose
Detachment of Militsia) groups, and Ministry of
Defense "SPETSNAZ" (Special Forces) groups. VF has
been supplying the special operations community in
Russia since 1995. VF also runs two hunting stores
for clients from the general public, with hunting
accessories and clothing. The company employs nine,
and is headquartered at the General Glagoleva St.
location in an office and showroom in an inner
courtyard of a multiple-use building. The company has
a low profile exterior appearance, with only a small
sign marked "ARMY" next to the doorbell.


5. The company partners with suppliers based on the
quality of the goods to be sold. VF prides itself on
presenting only the highest quality products for
tactical and/or hunting use. Major brands in stock
include US companies such as Bianchi and Alpha
Industries. The company participates in the annual
"Shot Show" held in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it scouts
new items for the market and makes contacts with U.S.
exporters.


6. VF plans to market the sights noted in reftel
primarally to the law enforcement and military market,
with possible sales to hunters. Mr. Linkvist is
looking to start with an initial order of 30 sights,
as he already has an order for 10-15 sights from the
FSB ALPHA unit. The primary role of ALPHA is
counterterrorism, and the unit would deploy the sights
for use in close-quarters battle situations. NOTE:
ALPHA is


7. Mr. Linkvist is familiar with export controls. VF
has been asked to procure U.S. Munitions List items in
the past for GOR units, and is currently researching
the possibility of obtaining night vision scopes for
GOR end-users. Mr. Linkvist stressed the company
policy of dealing only with the actual end user, and
not "middle-men" or "wrong-looking" organizations.
The company does no third party sales, insisting that
the actual end user be the recipient of any
consignment from VF. Security at the headquarters
location consists of an electronic alarm system, with
cameras and door/window sensors. The doors are
reinforced steel with a remote electronic lock/passkey
system. All stock is kept in a locked storeroom with
a steel door.


8. Recommendations: Post recommends Vtoroy Front
Company (VF Company),Moscow, Russia, as reliable
recipients of sensitive U.S. origin commodities. It is

requested that post be notified of final disposition
of the application, and of any shipments for this
organization in order to conduct appropriate FCS
follow-up and statistical reporting.
(FCS MOSCOW/SBOZEK/DPEARCE)
BURNS