BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON

UNCLAS PARIS 000277

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
STATE FOR NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC AG FR
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON
LICENSE 05-0113393

REF: 08 STATE 129720


1. (U) Embassy has determined from open sources that OCEA's patrol
boat contract with Algeria was one of the major foreign military
contracts France obtained in 2007. The company's website indicates
that OCEA has existed since 1987, has approximately 150 employees,
and produces 10 to 15 aluminum vessels per year (value in 2005: 27
million euros),75% of which are for export.


2. (U) On December 17, 2008, Embassy wrote Mr. Jean-Marc Wavrant,
Finance Director of OCEA, producer of Fast Patrol Vessels for the
Algerian Naval Coast Guard, Quai de la Cabaude, 85100 LES SABLES
D'OLONNE (Tel: +33-2-51-21-05-90; Fax: +33-2-51-21-20-06; email:
rJoassard@ocea.fr) to ask for a response to reftel questions
concerning the export of night vision device component parts to
Algeria and company security procedures. During a subsequent
telephone conversation Mr. Wavrant stated that he had already
provided similar information to the Department of State. Embassy
informed him that no previously communicated information was on file
at Embassy Paris. On January 26, 2009 Embassy again wrote Mr.
Wavrant to ask for an immediate response to the Embassy's December
inquiry, noting that failure to provide information could negatively
impact export license requests. Post received cursory response
(para 3) from Mr. Wavrant on February 16.


3. (U) Response by OCEA is as follows:

Text of faxed cover letter
(Informal Embassy translation from French)

February 16, 2009

Dear Sir:

In response to your request of January 26, 2009, we feel it is best
to inform you that we have already responded to a State Department
request regarding the case relevant to our contract with the
Algerian Minister of Defense, a copy of which you will find herewith
enclosed.

We hope that you receive the attached in good order.

Sincerely,




J. M. Wavrant
Finance Director, OCEA

Text of Attached Letter
(Original in English)

Roland Joassard
Chief of the Board
OCEA
Partners All The Way
Quai de la Cabaude
85100 Les Sables D'Olonne
France
Tel: 33-2-51-21-05-90
Fax: 33-2-51-21-20-06

March 31, 2008

Colonal Steven M. Soucek
NEA/RA Political Military Advisor
Fax: 001-202-647-7837

RE: Fax dated 3/4/2008

Dear Colonel,

OCEA has been awarded a contract for the supply of 20 units of the
OCEA FPB 98 MKI which is a fast patrol boat from our range design to
fulfill standard Coast guard missions like:

--Safety missions at sea
--Local pollution treatment
--Security mission at sea
--Reduction of illegal migration

The main characteristics of the FPB 98 MKI are:

--LOA: 32,50 M
--Beam: 6,50 M
--Crew: 12
--Speed: 30 kts about
--Range: 900 Nm

The boats are equipped with a 30 mm gun turret from MSI (UK) as the
Algerian Coast Guard are facing very aggressive and armed smugglers
sailing between Algeria, Spain and France on board high speed crafts
but not only. (SIC)

Best Regards,

Roland Joassard
Chief of the Board

PEKALA