EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: SPECIAL

UNCLAS MOSCOW 004267 SIPDIS SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/LRITTER USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: SPECIAL PURPOSE CENTER OF FSB, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, D379757 REFTEL: USDOC ¶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, Special Purpose Center of FSB, Moscow, Russia. The company is listed on BIS license application D379757 as the ultimate consignee of eight thermal imaging cameras. These items are controlled for national security and nuclear non-proliferation reasons under ECCN 6A003. The licensee is L3 Communications Infrared Products, 13532 N.Centeral Expressway MS37, Dallas, TX ¶75243. ¶3. On August 15, 2007, Export Control Attache Donald Pearce and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted a pre- license check at the International Relations Center of the Federal Security Service (Russian acronym FSB),7 Izmailovsky Val, Building 1, Moscow, Russia. The export control team met with Dmitry Gruzkov, Officer of the FSB Arms Service, and Yury Patrin, FSB Officer, International Relations Department. ¶4. The FSB is the principal federal criminal and counterintelligence investigative organization of the Russian Federation. The FSB is charged with the operation of several specialized units which are active in antiterrorist operations throughout Russia. The Special Purpose Center (SPC) was founded in 1992 to support the hostage rescue and antiterrorist teams known as "Alfa" and "Vympel" by providing equipment and training for the team's operators. SPC is participating in cooperative training programs with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy and its Hostage Rescue Team (HRT). The program is a "Top- Down" concept, with senior management at FSB and the FBI Academy working alongside HRT and Alfa/Vympel operators as they compare experiences and establish best practices for hostage rescue situations. SPC employs around 20 specialists, and is posted at the FSB headquarters in Moscow. ¶5. SPC chose the L3 product for procurement due to its high quality and superior level of technology over other similar units. Its capabilities and size make it an excellent unit for close-quarters situations. Sixteen operators will be trained in the use of the cameras, with six cameras being in an operationally ready state at all times and two in reserve. All high technology equipment is stored at the FSB headquarters, in a specialized equipment locker designed for storage of weapons at SPC. The storage area is under 24 hour guard, and is protected by an electronic alarm and video surveillance system. Mr. Gruzkov is familiar with the anticipated conditions of the license, and noted that although Alfa units sometimes deploy outside of Russia, that the thermal imagers will not be exported outside of Russia at any time. ¶6. Recommendations: Post recommends Special Purpose Center of FSB, Moscow, Russia, as a reliable recipient 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