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

UNCLAS STATE 044775 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS SAN SALVADOR FOR BRENT CHRISTENSEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ES ETTC KOMC SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050097338 REF: 07 SAN SALVADOR 722 ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2 - 4. ¶2. (U) The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests Post's assistance in conducting a pre-license check on license 050097338 for the export of ammunition to El Salvador. 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. (SBU) Reason for Request: End-user, Tiros Cobra, is affiliated with Salvadoran company, Expo Cafe, which was subject of an unfavorable Blue Lantern check (reftel A). Post found that the principles of Expo Cafe were using several businesses in an attempt to circumvent Salvadoran law. This request is for Post to establish the bona fides of Tiros Cobra and ascertain the nature of end-user's affiliation with Expo Cafe. Post is requested to determine if Tiros Cobra is a trusted recipient of United States Munitions List (USML) items. ¶4. (SBU) Action Request: Post is requested to establish the bona fides of Tiros Cobra by making appropriate inquires with principles of the company. Post is requested to seek specific details of the company's relationship with Expo Cafe. Post should also make inquires within the Salvadoran law enforcement community to determine if Tiros Cobra and its affiliates are trusted recipients of USML. In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information pertinent to these transactions such as security of facilities, end-use, and concerns about the entities involved. ¶5. (U) Details of license applications: DTC Case: 050097338 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 5,000 Rounds of Centerfire Rifle/Handgun Ammunition (.45 Caliber) 5,000 Rounds of Centerfire Rifle/Handgun Ammunition (.40 Caliber) 30,000 Rounds of Centerfire Rifle/Handgun Ammunition (.38 Caliber) 10,000 Rounds of Centerfire Rifle/Handgun Ammunition (.380 Caliber) 100,000 Rounds of Rimfire Ammunition (.22 Caliber) License Value: USD $18,000 SELLER: Alliant Techsystems Inc 5050 Lincoln Drive Edina, MN 55436 Subsidiary: Federal Cartridge Co./Ammunition Accessories Inc Alliant Techsystems Inc Affiliate 2299 Snake River Ave Lewiston, ID 83501 FOREIGN CONSIGNEE: Same as End-User FOREIGN END-USER: Tiros Cobra-CA, SA de CV Edifico Puerto Bus Local 7-B Alameda Juan Pablo II y 19 Avenida San Salvador, El Salvador Tel: (503) 2271-0324, 2271-0252, 2222-4298 Email: tiros cobra@hotmail.com PURPOSE: For commercial resale in El Salvador. ¶6. (U) Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to Posts upon request): DSP-83 signed by Rene Ernesto Llort Fernandez dated 03/04/2008 and Patti Mann dated 03/17/2008 End-Use Statement signed by Rene Llort Fernandez dated 01/10/2008 2 Purchase Orders from Tiros Cobra both signed by Rene Llort Fernandez and dated 01/23/2008 Import Authorizations Nos. 0047, 0048, and 0049 issued by Ministry of National Defense dated 1/03/2008 signed by Vice Admiral Marcos Antonio Palacios Luna. ¶7. (U) 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 Kyle M. Ballard, Phone: 202-663-1929; Email: BallardKM@state.gov; SIPRNET: BallardKM@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://virtuallibrary.state.gov/ BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf ¶8. (U) Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this matter. RICE