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

UNCLAS STATE 055618 SIPDIS PRETORIA FOR BAIMBA YILLA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC SF SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON APPLICATION 050101974 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-license check on application 050101974 for the export of a Bell UH-1H helicopter to South Africa. 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: Leading Edge Aviation, unfamiliar foreign end user. ¶4. ACTION: Embassy is requested to make inquiries with appropriate Leading Edge officials to determine if it has ordered the Bell UH-1H helicopter and plans to use the aircraft for the purpose stated on the license. Department requests that Embassy conduct a site visit to Leading Edge (if this is geographically/financially feasible, otherwise contact by phone and request documents via email or fax) in order to provide an assessment of its business operations, on-site security, and general reliability as a recipient of United States Munitions List (USML) items. POC at Leading Edge is Mark Jackson, President, TEL: 27-13-741-3654, reference PO # 5874 dated March 25, 2008. The following questions are offered as suggested guidance with Leading Edge: - Can Leading Edge provide documentation firmly establishing its order for the helicopter from the U.S. applicant, Tamarack Helicopters? - For what purpose will the helicopter be used? - Does Leading Edge understand that the aircraft may not be operated in prohibited countries, per Section 126.1 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)? - Does the company understand the restrictions on Unites States Munitions List (USML) articles, particularly regarding re-export and retransfer? - Who are the company's main clients? If a site visit is not possible, please inform PM/DTCC case officer. END ACTION. ¶5. Details of license application: DTC Case: 050101974 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 1 UH-1H complete helicopter N641BV, SN64-13623 License Value: USD 750,000 SELLER: Tamarack Helicopters, Inc 2849 McIntyre Road Stevensville, MT 59879 FOREIGN CONSIGNEE: None FOREIGN END-USER: Leading Edge Aviation, CC Mark Jackson Hanger A#1 Nelspruit Municipal Airport PO Box 1276 Nelspruit, South Africa PURPOSE: Fire Fighting ¶6. Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case number in the subject line. Department can fax license documentation to post upon request. POC is Tim Watkins, Phone: 202-663-2814; Email: WatkinsTR@state.gov; SIPRNET: WatkinsTR@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 ¶7. Department is grateful for post's assistance in this matter. RICE