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