ACTION REQUEST: CLOSURE OF VMAO

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000634 SIPDIS SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO WHA/AND AND PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017 TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PM PREL VE SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: CLOSURE OF VMAO REF: CARACAS 00423 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Daniel Lawton for Reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) This is an Action Request -- see Paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) Post requested February 28 guidance on the status of the Venezuelan Air Force's purchases currently in the pipeline and regarding the removal of items in the Venezuelan Military Acquisitions Office (VMAO) in Miami, Florida. Based on subsequent discussions, Post believes that the best way to proceed with the permanent closure of the VMAO is for the Department to deliver a diplomatic note to the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. ¶3. (C) Action recommendation: Post suggests that the Department consider delivering a diplomatic note to the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in order to expedite the closure of the VMAO. Post recommended language follows: BEGIN TEXT: Complementary opening,... and has the honor to refer to the Diplomatic Note from the Department of State of May 22, 2006, informing the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela that the Department found the operation of the Venezuelan Military Acquisitions Office (VMAO) in Miami, Florida, to be no longer required. That Note requested that the Venezuelan Government take the necessary steps to remove all personnel, services, material and equipment related to the VMAO and any related facilities. The Department notes that material and equipment related to the VMAO continues to be maintained in warehouse facilities in Miami. The Department requires that the Embassy take all necessary steps to remove all such material and equipment from the United States within 120 days of receipt of this Note. The Embassy may ship immediately any and all said equipment, provided that the proper export documentation under U.S. law and regulation has been obtained. The Unites States Government reserves the right to deny the export or transfer of any individual item, in accordance with U.S. law and regulation. In the interests of efficiency, the Embassy can provide to the Department a bonded inventory of all items retained at the VMAO and associated warehouses in order to facilitate the process of documenting those items for legal export from the United States. The Department is prepared to assist in this process. The Department informs the Embassy of its intentions to definitively close the VMAO and any associated warehouse space 120 days after the Embassy's receipt of this Note. END TEXT. BROWNFIELD