EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: JSC KASHIRSKY

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000238 SIPDIS SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/LRITTER USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA USDOC FOR 532/OEE/MO'BRIEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: JSC KASHIRSKY ELECTRICAL NERWORK, KASHIRA, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D368207 REFTEL: USDOC 06726 ¶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, JSC Kashirsky Electrical Network, Kashira, Moscow, Russia. The company is listed on BIS license application D368207 as the ultimate consignee of a thermal imager, model: 1100. These items are controlled for national security, nuclear non-proliferation reasons under ECCN 6A003. The licensee is Mikron Infrared, Inc., 16 Thornton Road, Oakland, NJ 07436. ¶3. On January 18, 2007, Export Control Attache Donald Pearce and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted the requested pre-license check at the offices of JSC Kashirsky Electrical Network (KEN),4 Klubnaya St., Kashira, Moskovsky Oblast, Russia. The export control team met with Mikhail Knyazkov, Chief Engineer. ¶4. KEN was founded 45 years ago to provide electrical generation and delivery services to the Kashirsky district. Today KEN has 27 substations serving three districts in the southwest part of the Moskovsky Oblast. KEN was a daughter company of Mosenergo, which is currently undergoing a major restructuring. KEN currently operates as an independent organization. The company is headquartered just outside of the Kashira city center at the Kashirsky Electrical Generation Plant, and employs around 500. ¶5. The thermal imager in reftel will be utilized for preventative maintenance of electrical equipment and to check thermal insulation at plant facilities. There is one specialist trained in the use of thermal imagery, who is assigned to the Isolation and Defense From Overpowering Service of KEN. The specialist is currently using an AZOT Thermal Imager, and Mr. Knyazkov showed the team some of the reports generated from imagery taken with the AZOT. When not in use the device will be stored in a safe located in the technical building on the plant grounds. The plant is protected at all times by an armed guard force and an electronic security system. Mr. Knyazkov is aware of export controls, and acknowledged that the item was not for resale or transfer. Mr. Knyazkov added that he understands the concerns of the USG regarding transfers to "Iran and such countries." ¶6. Recommendations: Post recommends JSC Kashirsky Electrical Network, Kashira, 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