BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK

UNCLAS STATE 133633 SIPDIS ABUJA FOR GEOFFREY MARTINEAU AND ROME FOR CHRIS CURRAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC NI IT SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON APPLICATION 050133135 REF: 2006 BLUE LANTERN GUIDEBOOK ¶1. This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2-4. ¶2. The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests post's assistance in conducting a pre-shipment check on application 050133135 for the export of NVD component parts to Nigeria. Post is requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days. Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses involving parties to this license. ¶3. Reason for request: Lack of documentation from foreign end-user the Nigerian Navy and unfamiliar foreign consignee AERA S.P.A. The company has not appeared on previous licenses nor have the bona fides of the company been verified by a Blue Lantern check. ¶4. ACTION ABUJA: Embassy is requested to make inquiries with appropriate host government officials to determine if the Nigerian Navy ordered the NVD component parts and if so, that the articles will be used for the purpose stated on the license. Post is requested to exercise its contacts within the Nigerian MoD to verify this order. END ACTION ¶5. ACTION ROME: Department requests that Embassy make appropriate inquiries to verify the bona fides of foreign consignee AERA S.P.A., and to confirm the legitimacy of this transaction. PM/DTCC also requests that post conducts a site visit to the company in order to provide Department with an assessment of its business operations and on-site security. Finally, post is asked to assess whether the company appears to be a reliable recipient of USML items. If a site visit is not possible, please inform the PM/DTCC officer (see para 8). The following questions are provided as suggested guidance: --Does the company have supporting documentation for this proposed transaction? --Does the company have secure facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for handling sensitive USML items? --Will AERA S.P.A. retain positive control over the NVD component parts at all times? --When was the company established and who are its principals? --What is the nature of its business -- what type of items does it handle, does it serve as a broker? --What type of organizations are among its typical customers and where are the customers located? --Does the company understand the restrictions on United States Munitions List (USML) items, especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports? END ACTION ¶6. Details of license application: DTC Case: 050133135 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 14 95-10-17-M6-70972 VIVISUN Illuminated Pushbutton Switch Compatible with NVIS goggles and complies with NVIS color and NVIS radiance requirements defined in MIL-L-85762A 8 95-10-17-P6-70973 VIVISUN Illuminated Pushbutton Switch Compatible with NVIS goggles and complies with NVIS color and NVIS radiance requirements defined in MIL-L-85762A License Value: USD 10,736.00 SELLER: Aerospace Optics, Inc. 3201 Sandy Lane Fort Worth, TX 76112 POC is J M Davis, Tel. 817-451-1141 ext.236 FOREIGN CONSIGNEE: AERA S.P.A. Via Cefalonia 18 Milano 20156 Italy POC is CEO, Pietro Mantovani, Tel. 39-02-33483-1 FOREIGN END-USER: Nigerian Navy Wilmont Point Lagos Nigeria No POC provided PURPOSE: The equipment will be installed on A-109 Agusta Helicopters. Two switches are commercial pushbutton switches with NVIS compatible lighting options. They are installed on the weapon control panels. The weapon control panels are installed in the cockpits of the A-109 helicopters. ¶7. Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC can fax documentation to post upon request): --Purchase Order No. 081764 submitted by AERA S.P.A. on 6 October 2008, illegible signature --End-use Declaration submitted by AERA S.P.A., signed by CEO, Pietro Mantovani on 6 October 2008 ¶8. Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case number in the subject line. POC is Tim Mazzarelli, Phone: 202-663-3867; Email: MazzarelliTP@state.gov; SIPRNET: MazzarelliTP@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's E-Book Collection on the DOS Intranet: http://buncheelectroniclibrary.state.gov/eboo ks/ BlueLanternGuidebook2006%20 final .pdf ¶9. Department is grateful for post's assistance in this matter. RICE