BLUE LANTERN: BONA FIDES VERIFICATION OF ALFREDO

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001221 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR US SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC AR SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: BONA FIDES VERIFICATION OF ALFREDO ANTIONIO RICUPERO IN ARGENTINA, CASE K-0907 REF: STATE 93542 ¶1. (SBU) Per Reftel request, post carried out a site visit on U.S. registered broker Alfredo Antonio Ricupero, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 2, 2009. It is post's opinion that the company will be a responsible broker of United States Munitions List items. ¶2. (SBU) Answers to Reftel questions: -- Confirm that this entity is in the business of brokering defense articles and defense services at the location(s) indicated under its legal name(s); Yes. Ricupero stated that his firm, TURSOL, is the only broker for Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems in Argentina. Post received on November 1 (independent of the Blue Lantern check) an email from Robert Briscoe, Director of Boeing's Compliance and FCPA Integration, that he would come to Buenos Aires to verify TURSOL's adherence to the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act),confirming that Ricupero is indeed an authorized Boeing representative. -- Determine whether this entity is authorized to conduct such activities in its home country, whether the entity has any criminal or other derogatory background, and whether Post has any information on its brokering or arms export activities that may involve proscribed entities such as countries under U.S. or international sanctions, or designated state sponsors of terrorism; TURSOL is authorized to conduct brokerage activities in Argentina. Post has no information about activities involving proscribed entities, or that TURSOL has ever exported any goods, USML or otherwise. -- Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items on behalf of its clients? If so, does it have secure facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for handling sensitive USML items? No. Any deal arranged by TURSOL would have the actual client as the importer of record, and the client would receive the shipment. TURSOL would not be in possession of USML items at any time. -- When was the company established and who are its principals? How many employees? TURSOL was originally established in 1958 by Ricupero's father. Ricupero is currently the majority and managing partner; the minority partner is Miguel Angel Emery (who was not present during the site visit). This information was verified by company registration paperwork. -- What is the nature of its business and what other types of items does it handle? Ricupero stated that TURSOL's primary business is brokering sales of civilian aviation (non-USML) parts. He also stated that he is the authorized representative of U.S. firm Dynatech International Corp. -- What types of organizations are among its typical clients and in what countries are they located? With respect to Boeing, TURSOL's potential clients are in the GoA, particularly the Fabrica Militar de Aviones, the GoA airplane manufacturing facility, and the Argentine Air Force. -- Does the company understand the restrictions on USML items, especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports? Not applicable. Company does not take possession of these goods, and therefore is unable to transfer or export them. ¶3. (SBU) Ricupero noted that he had not brokered a sale for Boeing for over three decades. While this is unlikely to change significantly in the foreseeable future - military spending has been low for many years, which can be attributed partly to the current GoA philosophy and the public's lasting response to the last military dictatorship in Argentina, from 1976-83 - it isn't reason to think that TURSOL would not be a responsible broker of USML goods. MARTINEZ