BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: END USE CHECK ON LICENSE

S E C R E T KUWAIT 000463 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR, NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2017 TAGS: ETTC ETRD KU SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: END USE CHECK ON LICENSE 05-050021896 REF: A. SECSTATE 015081 ¶B. 3/00/21339-00 DATED 8/31/00 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Matthew Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (SBU) Econoff visited Al-Ghanim Freight on March 20 to discuss reftel shipment. Neither Al-Ghanim Freight General Manager Mahmoud Jalajel nor his associates had any knowledge of the shipment. Mr. Jalajel indicated that Al-Ghanim Freight has processed other shipments for Mr. Al-Awadi but never weapons. He said Al-Ghanim Freight does not import weapons. Mr. Jalajel said United Arab Shipping and Kuwait Airways are the only entities authorized to ship imported weapons. ¶2. (SBU) During a March 20 telcon with Econoff, Khalid Al-Awadi said his company specializes in shipping unique products mostly for the oil, gas, and defense sectors. He said their focus is "whatever solves our clients problems." The company imports weapons mainly from Europe but was interested in these U.S.-manufactured pistols because they are similar to the Heckler pistol made in Germany but have added features. Al-Awadi asked the manufacturer to send some samples to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) so they could be tested. He said the pistols (serial # 71BMV01421 and 71BMV01680) arrived in country via Kuwait Airways bill #22909794680. Al-Awadi said an MOI official named Nabil Al-Meshari - cell (965) 906-6867 - signed for the pistols at the airport and took them to MOI's Logistic and Supply Department. He said that he did not know why Al-Ghanim Freight was listed on the license and noted that the manufacturer, not the buyer, applies for the export license. (Note: Additional contact information for Khalid Al-Awadi: cell (965) 982-0099. End note.) ¶3. (SBU) On 2 April, Econoff and RSO met with Brigadier Ali Al-Dahmali, Director of Supplies and Logistics for the Ministry of Interior. Al-Dahmali confirmed that the MOI had received and maintained custody of the two pistols in question. He explained that the Ministry employs a rigorous system to ensure a secure and continuous chain of custody for all imported weapons, which begins with a Ministry official taking custody of the weapon at the port of entry and continues through the delivery of the weapon to the end user within the MOI. He added that MOI weapons are never re-exported or released to import agents. During the meeting, Al-Dahmali personally called his armory manager to confirm that the serial numbers for the two pistols matched. He said the MOI would be testing the pistols but had not determined precisely which department would do so. Al-Dahmali said that the Ministry had a long-standing business relationship with both Khalid Al-Awadi and FN Herstal, and he found both companies to be professional and reliable. The Ministry considers both companies to be legitimate and reliable importers of U.S. Munitions List commodities. ¶4. (S/NF) Per ref B, Khalid Al Awadi Establishment for General Trading and Contracting appears to be a legitimate business with a history of importing weapons for the Government of Kuwait that goes back at least seven years. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * Tueller