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

UNCLAS STATE 057843 SIPDIS BOGOTA FOR ARI NATHAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC CO SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON APPLICATION 050105372 REF: 2006 BLUE LANTERN GUIDEBOOK ¶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 application 050105372 for the export of C-130 spare parts to Colombia. 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: Law enforcement concerns about the legitimacy and business activities of Higher Source Aviation (HSA),U.S. applicant. ¶4. (SBU) ACTION: Embassy is requested to make inquiries with appropriate host government officials to determine if the Colombian Air Force (CAF) has ordered the C-130 parts from HSA and plans to use the items for the purpose stated on the license. Colombian Air Force POC is Armin Oswaldo Gomez Guzman, Subdirector Acquisitions, reference letter of intent # MDFAC-JOL-ACOFA-ACOAD-45 dated May 9, 2008. The following questions are offered as suggested guidance with the CAF: - Can the CAF explain the background of its relationship to HSA? Is anyone familiar with Tom or Ken Kane? - What factors led the CAF to choose to order parts from HSA over other providors? - Are any additional Colombian foreign consignees or freight forwarders active in this transaction? END ACTION. ¶5. (U) Details of license application: DTC Case: 050105372 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: Lots aircraft spare parts miscellaneous License Value: USD 5,000,000 SELLER: Higher Source Aviation 908 Upward Road Flat Rock, NC 28731 FOREIGN CONSIGNEE: Colombian Air Force Purchasing Agency Base Area "Catam-Bogota Colombia" Aeropuerto Eldorado Bogota, CO FOREIGN END-USER: Colombian Air Force Purchasing Agency Base Area "Catam-Bogota Colombia" Aeropuerto Eldorado Bogota, CO PURPOSE: For maintenance needs of C-130 aircraft owned and operated by the Colombian Air Force ¶6. (U) Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case number in the subject line. PM/DDTC 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. (U) Department is grateful for post's assistance in this matter. RICE