EXTRANCHECK: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION:

UNCLAS MOSCOW 003318 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: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION: RUSSIAN FEDERAL NUCLEAR CENTER (VNIITF),INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL PHYSICS, SNEZHINSK, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO: D279875 REFTEL: 1. 04 USDOC 01963 ¶2. 05 MOSCOW 14902 ¶1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export Administration Act. ¶2. Reftel 1 requested a post-shipment verification to determine the legitimacy and reliability of the end- user, Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIITF), Institute of Technical Physics, Snezhinsk, Russia. The company was listed on BIS license number: D279875 as the ultimate consignee of 1 optima 2000DV inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer system and accessories, ECCN: 4A994. These items are controlled for anti-terrorism reasons. The licensee is Perkin-Elmer, Inc, 761 Main Ave., Mail Stop 52, Norwalk, CT 06859. Reftel 2 is an unfavorable recommendation citing the refusal of the GOR to grant access to the facility in order for ECO Moscow to conduct the end use check. ¶3. NOTE: The Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIITF), Institute of Technical Physics, Snezhinsk conducts research on nuclear fuel cycle technologies and fissile material processing. The Government of Russia (GOR) Ministry of Atomic Energy (Russian acronym MINATOM) still classifies VNIITF as a "closed facility." Foreigners are generally not granted access to closed facilities, however, a bilateral agreement between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and MINATOM allows for site visits by DOE personnel for information exchange and audit purposes. DOE and VNIITF have been working on collaborative projects since 1992. END NOTE. ¶4. On June 14, 2007 ECO Pearce participated in a DOE teleconference with Maegon E. Barlow, Deputy Office Director - Office of Weapons Material Protection, National Nuclear Security Administration. Ms. Barlow and her team were scheduled to visit the VNIITF facilities as part of a DOE Threat Reduction and Safeguards project assessment. ECO Pearce gave Ms. Barlow a briefing on conducting BIS end use checks, and the specific commodities to be verified, including descriptions of the devices and the locations of number plates. Ms. Barlow stated that she would be conducting the check on June 29, 2007. ¶5. On July 3, 2007 ECO Pearce received the following email from Ms. Barlow. Subject: Post Shipment Verification of the Perkin Elmer Optima 2000DV Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions Spectrometer at VNIITF. Summary: Maegon Barlow conducted a post-shipment verification of the ICP Spectrometer Optima 2000DV provided to VNIITF under export control license #D279875 per the request of the US Department of Commerce on June 29th, 2007. The spectrometer was brought to the International Business Center (ICB) in Snezhinsk where Ms. Barlow was able to see the spectrometer. Ms. Barlow confirmed that it was in fact a Perkin Elmer Optima 2000DV Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions Spectrometer - serial number # 080N1061301. Ms. Barlow inquired about the operability and purpose of the spectrometer. The VNIITF personnel that operate the Spectrometer reported this it was fully operational and informed Ms. Barlow that the primary purpose of the equipment was to assist with the scientific research on alternate power generation (ie looking at fuel cells). The spectrometer is also being used by geologists to conduct pollution analysis (i.e looking at rain water, industrial pollutants). Ms. Barlow was informed that the spectrometer was not being used for any nuclear related activities. The VNIITF personnel responsible for the equipment were forthcoming with information and access to the equipment. Ms. Barlow was able to get pictures of the spectrometer. The post-shipment verification was recorded in the signed Protocol of Meeting. End quote. ¶8. Recommendations: Post recommends Bochvar All- Russian Scientific Research Institute For Inorganic Materials (VNIINM) as a reliable recipient of sensitive U.S. origin commodities. (FCS MOSCOW/SBOZEK/DPEARCE) BURNS