FORMAL GOG REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REGARDING

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000365 SENSITIVE SIPDIS CARACAS FOR LEGATT KEVIN CURRIER, PORT OF SPAIN FOR A/LEGATT MARVIN FREEMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: GY PREL PGOV PINS ETTC SUBJECT: FORMAL GOG REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REGARDING EXPORT LICENSE APPLICATIONS ¶1. (SBU) This is communication of a formal request by the Government of Guyana (GoG) for information relating to applications for export licenses. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text of letter: Ms. Karen Williams Charge d'Affaires Embassy of the United States of America Duke Street Kingston Dear Ms. Williams, Please see attached Press Release by the Ministry of Home Affairs. In this regard, I would like to formally request the US Authorities to provide me with a record of all applications made by the Government of Guyana for export licenses for restricted items during the period 2000-2006. Yours sincerely, Clement J. Rohee Minister End text of letter. ¶3. (SBU) Begin text of attached Press Release: The Ministry of Home Affairs rejects outright the claim being repeated in the Media that the Government of Guyana authorized the importation by the Roger Khan outfit of the sensitive piece of electronic equipment seized by the Joint Services. The U.S.A., like most developed countries, has strict export controls on the sale/export of such items. In Guyana, such sensitive electronic items could only be procured and imported for the exclusive use of Law Enforcement Agencies. Such a request by the Law Enforcement Agencies of Guyana would have to be approved by the relevant authorities before an application is made by the Government of Guyana to the relevant American Authorities for approval for the item to be exported to Guyana. The Ministry of Home Affairs asserts that it did not authorize the importation of the electronic equipment under question nor did it seek any approval of the U.S. Authorities for an export licence for the item. In the context of the above, the Ministry of Home Affairs has since requested the American Authorities to provide it with the records of all such applications made by the Government of Guyana during the period of the operations of the Roger Khan outfit. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS JUNE 9, 2008 End text of press release. Campbell