NORWAY'S RESPONSE: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL END-USE

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000595 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2010 TAGS: BU ETTC GM KOMC NO SUBJECT: NORWAY'S RESPONSE: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL END-USE CHECK LICENSE 050183608 REF: SECSTATE 89282 Classified By: Acting P/E Counselor Aldo Sirotic for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (C) Norwegian MFA Section for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Executive Officer Christoffer Aas Pedersen provided PolOff September 28 a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that they have no information on Mr. Ostby regarding any brokering, export, sales or import of firearms in or outside of Norway. The letter also states that he has submitted no license applications and the Ministry has not issued any export license to the individual in question or his agency. Pedersen told PolOff September 22 that while Osteby appears to have a license to own a weapon in Norway, he is required by law to be licensed to broker weapons as described in reftel. The GON has requested that the U.S. Government not contact Mr. Osteby at this time, as the Norwegian police have begun an investigation into the situation. Pedersen said that he would provide PolOff will regular updates on the investigation. HEG