BLUE LANTERN POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK: LICENSE

UNCLAS BERLIN 001330 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE, EUR/PRA, AND PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR (SABATINI) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DA ETTC KOMC GM SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK: LICENSE 05-050104085 REF: A. SECSTATE 91180 ¶B. PETERSEN-SABATINI E-MAIL 9/21/2008 ¶1. (SBU) REF A requested Embassy assistance in conducting a post-shipment check on license 05-050104085 for export of a U.S.-origin piezoresistive accelerometer (Endevco Model 7270A-200K) to the Fraunhofer Ernst-Mach-Institute (EMI) in Freiburg, Germany. The reason for this end-use check is that this article represents a sensitive commodity with potential for diversion. EMI's stated application for this article is to measure the acceleration of shock plates under blast loading in a large shock tube. Post was asked to confirm from EMI receipt of the Endevco Model 7270A-200K accelerometer and make inquiries about the intended use of the commodity. Post contacted the director of EMI, Dr. Klaus Thoma, multiple times, but did not receive satisfactory responses to any of the questions posed in REF A. ¶2. (SBU) Thoma expressed irritation with our inquiries and appeared to see them as an unnecessary intrusion, given that the commodity had already been delivered to EMI. His responses were vague and he did not respond positively to follow up questions despite every effort by post to deliver the inquiries in a considerate and professional manner. Thoma explained that EMI has 30 years of experience working with the USG and that EMI receives Endevco accelerometers in the 7270A family on a continuous basis. His primary concern was that he does not want his technicians burdened with having to send reports describing how they intend to use Endevco accelerometers and he insinuated that EMI may be inclined to seek alternate suppliers if the procurement process from Endevco becomes too cumbersome. ¶3. (SBU) In response to the REF A specific questions, on September 18, Thoma did acknowledge that EMI did receive the 7270A-200K "a couple days ago," but he did not supply any accompanying supporting documentation to confirm the commodity was received. Thoma declined to describe any specific testing EMI had planned for the 7270A-200K or why this commodity was chosen (as opposed to other sensors in the 7270A family.) Thoma only said EMI uses extreme range accelerometers for uses including measuring hypervelocity impacts, which he says are some of the most extreme collisions measured on Earth. Thoma also said that EMI selects these sensors from an Endevco catalog without consultations with Endevco applications engineers. Regarding re-export concerns, Thoma said "I guarantee that EMI uses Endevco sensors only in our labs and we do not re-export them." KOENIG