EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: COMIMPEX,

UNCLAS MOSCOW 001160 SIPDIS SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/JHOWARD USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: COMIMPEX, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D393772 REFTEL: USDOC 01973 ¶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, Comimpex, Moscow, Russia. The company is listed on BIS license application D393772 as the ultimate consignee of air cartridges, taser kits and tasercam, extended range electronic projectile, quantity:200. These items are controlled for crime control reasons under ECCN OA985. The licensee is Taser International, Inc., 17800 N. 85th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255. ¶3. On April 18, 2008, Export Control Attache Peter Liston and LES Natalya Shipitsina conducted the requested pre-license check at the offices of Comimpex, Ryabinovaya st., 47, Moscow, Russia. The export control team met with Vladimir Abramov, General Director of Inforcom and Comimpex Companies. ¶4. Vladimir Abramov, DBA Inforcom and Comimpex, owns and operates a well established electronics and IP import and retails sales business in Russia. Inforcom was established in 1988 and is the 2nd largest retail distributor of U.S. manufactured PolkAudio speakers in the world. Vladimir Abramov travels regularly to the United States on both business (related to PlokAudio) and pleasure. Abramov has attended numerous trade shows in the United States. It was a trade show in Las Vegas approximately 6 years ago where Abramov was introduced to Taser International and their line of products. When Taser recently released a consumer line of products for the commercial market, that included a women's line, he decided that it was the right time to enter into market. Abramov met with Taser International in the United States and received exclusive rights to sell the product in Russia. Abramov established the company Comimpex approximately 3 months ago solely for the importation and marketing of the Taser product. ¶5. Vladimir Abramov employs approximately 17 people at this time. Abramov is expanding his operations and relocating to a larger office/warehouse complex that is under construction. The Moscow Export Control Team was given a tour of the new office location, which will house only Abramov's businesses and will include the latest security system available on the market. Abramov is familiar with the licensing restrictions with the commodity in reftel and has the technical and commercial sophistication to market it under the terms of his exclusive contract with Taser and Commerce License. ¶6. Recommendations: Post recommends Comimpex, 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/BTHORN/PLISTON) BURNS