Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN284
2009-03-11 15:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
BLUE LANTERN REPONSE: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK
how-toVZCZCXRO6682 PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHLZ DE RUEHRL #0284 0701553 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 111553Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3535 INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEPINS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BERLIN 000284
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR (BALLARD)
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMOC ETTC GM
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN REPONSE: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK
ON LICENSE 050076491
REF: STATE 10966
UNCLAS BERLIN 000284
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR (BALLARD)
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMOC ETTC GM
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN REPONSE: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK
ON LICENSE 050076491
REF: STATE 10966
1. (SBU) Helmut Hofmann GmbH responded to all reftel
inquiries with satisfactory answers and in a timely manner
regarding Blue Lantern end-use check 050076491. EconOff
posed the reftel questions to Helmut Hofmann GmbH via email
and followed up with a phone conversation. Based on these
responses, we assess that Helmut Hofmann GmbH is in
compliance with USML controls.
HELMUT HOFMANN GMBH RESPONSES TO DTCC INQUIRIES
-------------- --
2. (SBU) The reftel questions were answered by Stephan Mock,
Purchasing Department - Helmut Hofmann GmbH.
Begin text of responses:
-- Can you confirm that the ammunition and firearms listed
below were purchased for commercial resale in Germany only?
RESPONSE: Yes, I can confirm that the ammunition and firearms
are for resale in Germany only.
-- Who are your regular customers and where do they reside?
Our regular customers are dealers for hunting and sporting
goods. They are all based in Germany.
-- What quantities of the items authorized on this license
did Helmut Hofmann actually receive thus far?
RESPONSE: All but a few remaining orders for rimfire .22
ammunition. Those will be shipped later this month.
-- What are your annual sales of U.S.-origin firearms and
ammunition?
RESPONSE: Sales vary with market demand and U.S. dollar /
euro exchange rate. Ammunition sales can vary from 10
million rounds (including affordable rimfire) up to 30
million rounds. Firearms vary as well with our 2008 numbers
exceeding 1000 units sold.
-- What quantity of firearms and ammunition did your company
seek to import from the United States in 2008?
RESPONSE: This information is not immediately available. In
order to accurately check the orders to U.S. suppliers, this
would take weeks of work.
-- Can you explain the discrepancy, if any, between that
which was authorized for export from the United States and
that which the company actually sold in 2008?
RESPONSE: Naturally, the difference will equate to the
product that we imported in 2008 versus how much product will
be sold in 2009. That said, the 2008 product is sitting in
our warehouse until we can sell it. A large quantity of from
our 2008 orders from a particular U.S. supplier is still on
backorder and will ship at some point in 2009.
--Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import
of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on
re-transfer or re-export?
RESPONSE: Yes, we are familiar with the regulations governing
the import of U.S.-origin defense articles. Our last
training seminar for the regulations was at in 2008 in
Frankfurt.
End text.
COMMENT
--------------
3. (SBU) Stephan Mock of Helmut Hofmann GmbH was very
responsive to the reftel inquiries and indicated a
willingness to address any follow-up questions. Helmut
Hofmann GmbH orders ammunition/firearms from U.S. suppliers
based on their anticipated annual need. Therefore, it is not
abnormal for them to requested a greater amount of imported
product than is sold in a given year. Should they be left
with excess (unsold) inventory, this would influence their
request for import of ammunition/firearms for the following
year.
Koenig
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR (BALLARD)
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMOC ETTC GM
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN REPONSE: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK
ON LICENSE 050076491
REF: STATE 10966
1. (SBU) Helmut Hofmann GmbH responded to all reftel
inquiries with satisfactory answers and in a timely manner
regarding Blue Lantern end-use check 050076491. EconOff
posed the reftel questions to Helmut Hofmann GmbH via email
and followed up with a phone conversation. Based on these
responses, we assess that Helmut Hofmann GmbH is in
compliance with USML controls.
HELMUT HOFMANN GMBH RESPONSES TO DTCC INQUIRIES
-------------- --
2. (SBU) The reftel questions were answered by Stephan Mock,
Purchasing Department - Helmut Hofmann GmbH.
Begin text of responses:
-- Can you confirm that the ammunition and firearms listed
below were purchased for commercial resale in Germany only?
RESPONSE: Yes, I can confirm that the ammunition and firearms
are for resale in Germany only.
-- Who are your regular customers and where do they reside?
Our regular customers are dealers for hunting and sporting
goods. They are all based in Germany.
-- What quantities of the items authorized on this license
did Helmut Hofmann actually receive thus far?
RESPONSE: All but a few remaining orders for rimfire .22
ammunition. Those will be shipped later this month.
-- What are your annual sales of U.S.-origin firearms and
ammunition?
RESPONSE: Sales vary with market demand and U.S. dollar /
euro exchange rate. Ammunition sales can vary from 10
million rounds (including affordable rimfire) up to 30
million rounds. Firearms vary as well with our 2008 numbers
exceeding 1000 units sold.
-- What quantity of firearms and ammunition did your company
seek to import from the United States in 2008?
RESPONSE: This information is not immediately available. In
order to accurately check the orders to U.S. suppliers, this
would take weeks of work.
-- Can you explain the discrepancy, if any, between that
which was authorized for export from the United States and
that which the company actually sold in 2008?
RESPONSE: Naturally, the difference will equate to the
product that we imported in 2008 versus how much product will
be sold in 2009. That said, the 2008 product is sitting in
our warehouse until we can sell it. A large quantity of from
our 2008 orders from a particular U.S. supplier is still on
backorder and will ship at some point in 2009.
--Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import
of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on
re-transfer or re-export?
RESPONSE: Yes, we are familiar with the regulations governing
the import of U.S.-origin defense articles. Our last
training seminar for the regulations was at in 2008 in
Frankfurt.
End text.
COMMENT
--------------
3. (SBU) Stephan Mock of Helmut Hofmann GmbH was very
responsive to the reftel inquiries and indicated a
willingness to address any follow-up questions. Helmut
Hofmann GmbH orders ammunition/firearms from U.S. suppliers
based on their anticipated annual need. Therefore, it is not
abnormal for them to requested a greater amount of imported
product than is sold in a given year. Should they be left
with excess (unsold) inventory, this would influence their
request for import of ammunition/firearms for the following
year.
Koenig