BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE CHECK ON

UNCLAS ROME 000697 SIPDIS SENSITIVE PM/DTCC - PLEASE PASS TO BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR TIM WATKINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN IT BLUE LANTERN SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE CHECK ON LICENSE 05-962149 REF: SECSTATE 00335 ¶1. (SBU) EconOff and FSN met Nicola Ruccia, Chief Operating Officer of Air One, and Alfredo Pozzi, Director of Research and Development of A-Technology, January 30 and February 27, respectively. Air One and A-Technology both denied knowledge of the license application 05-962149, and plans for their businesses to use Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control technology. Ruccia and Pozzi expressed surprise and dismay that A-Technology and Air One were associated with this license application, and requested information on who submitted the application. Pozzi said A-Technology plans to submit an application to import satellite components from Composite Optics of San Diego, California, and hopes this license application does not affect A-Technology's request for an export license. ¶2. (U) In response to reftel questions, neither A-Technology nor Air One appear to have ties to embargoed parties. Air One is an airline company, serving Italy and southern Europe. A-Technology produces composite materials; and its clients include Alitalia Group, Whirlpool, and Boeing. Pozzi said A-Technology produces fuselages for Boeing, and did not use Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control technology. He said that several months ago, he had been contacted by Gaetano DeGoila he believed worked either directly for the U.S. Government, or for Boeing's government relations department. DeGiola requested specific information on A-Technology's business plans and strategy. SPOGLI