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

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000897 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC GT SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE, 050183538 REF: STATE 83508 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In response to reftel, Emboffs researched the bona fides of the arms import company Almacen El Bisonte (AEB). The research included an on-site inspection of AEB, an interview with the company's legal representative, and records checks of both the company and the representative with the MOD's Arms and Ammunition Control Department (DECAM). As a result of the investigation, Post recommends approval of reftel license. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On September 3rd, Emboffs conducted an on-site inspection of AEB located inside a large commercial shopping center and interviewed the company's legal representative, Rene Polasek Mejia, who cooperated fully with Emboff requests, and offered complete access to his records, and a tour of the facility. AEB is owned by the father of Polasek, Josef Polasek Petrova, a Czechoslovakian immigrant to Guatemala, who has worked in the Guatemalan weapons industry since the late 1940's. Per reftel, for privacy reasons, Polasek prefers to use a post office box address for AEB, but Polasek confirmed to Emboffs the physical addresses of all three weapons locations that he operates with his father and also the address of his warehouse and office facility in the city. ¶3. (SBU) AEB is located on the third floor of a large, family-oriented commercial retail location. The store is securely located in the back corner of the third floor and is well-protected. There are various protective measures utilized inside the store including a private security guard, Internet-based recording cameras, and infrared and motion sensors placed throughout the store and in the well-constructed weapons storage room. The store's presentation is well-organized with various cases featuring specific inventory to target the store's various clientele including hunters, collectors, competitors, private security guards and farmers. Signage is well-marked and the front entrance is well-protected with double pane glass that both highlights and fortifies a storefront showcase. The front entrance has a set of steel gates and a private guard standing watch over the eight-foot interior entrance. The well-lighted showcases throughout the store display about 40 guns in total from inexpensive revolvers to the classic pieces which Polasek states that many collectors purchase for display purposes only. The Polasek family has been in the arms business for over 50 years. ¶4. (SBU) As an official distributor of a well-known Czechoslovakian weapon brand called CZ, most of Polasek's inventory is purchased from CZ with smaller amounts coming from Argentina and the U.S. Polasek imports about 200-300 weapons from the U.S. per year, and stated that he would like to import more from the U.S. Per reftel, Polasek purchased 150 .38 Rossi revolvers to sell to private security guards. Polasek explained to Emboffs that the Rossis are a private security guard's gun of choice; because of its small size, it can be easily placed in a leg holster and used as a back-up weapon. ¶5. (SBU) Polasek demonstrated that he is familiar with relevant regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer and re-export. Polasek explained that all of the gun distributors who purchase weapons from his stores (over a 100 according to Polasek) are located in Guatemala City, and added that although they make frequent purchases at all three of his stores, they are never allowed to exceed the limit of ten weapons per order. ¶6. (SBU) AEB books and DECAM registries were well-maintained, and indicated that while AEB does sell some of the weapons imported from the U.S. to other arms distributors, the company also sells a substantial number of the weapons to private citizens. ¶7. (SBU) AEB has a clean record with DECAM and has passed all routine inspections without incident. According to DECAM authorities, AEB is a medium-scale, well-managed weapons store that has always operated within local laws and regulations. Based on the results of the on-site inspection, interviews and a records check with DECAM, Post recommends approval of the reftel license. MCFARLAND