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

UNCLAS STATE 121317 SIPDIS YEREVAN FOR BART PUTNEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC AM SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050201438 ¶1. This is an Action Request. See paragraph 4. ¶2. The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests Post's assistance in conducting a pre-license check on license 050201438 for the export of pistols to Armenia. Post is requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days. Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses involving parties to this license. ¶3. Reason for Request: End-user Aspar Arms, LLC has not been party to a U.S. export license in the past. This request is for Post to establish the bona fides of the company and determine any general restrictions on private firearm ownership in Armenia. ¶4. Action Request: Post is requested to establish the bona fides of end-user Aspar Arms, LLC by making inquiries to representatives of the company and appropriate authorities of the Government of Armenia. Post is also requested to vet this company with other members of Embassy pseronnel. Finally, Post is requested to determine any general restrictions on private firearm ownership in Armenia. The following points are included for guidance: (To Aspar Arms) --When was your company established and who are its principals? --What products and services does your company provide? Who are your regular customers and where do they reside? --What are your annual sales of U.S.-origin firearms? --Do you sell defense articles to customers that reside outside Armenia? If so, who are these customers and where do they reside? --For what are 6.35mm pistols typically used in Armenia? --Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on unauthorized re-transfer or re-export? (To Appropriate Import/Export and/or Law Enforcement Authorities) --Is Aspar Arms properly authorized to import and sell defense articles in Armenia? --Do you have any information on Aspar Arms that would call in to question their reliability as a recipient of U.S. defense articles? --What restrictions exist on the private ownership of firearms in Armenia (e.g. assault rifles, handguns, calibers, criminal records, etc.)? In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information pertinent to these transactions such as security of facilities, end-use, and concerns about the entities involved. ¶5. Details of license applications: DTC Case: 050201438 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 20 PSA-25 Pistols, 6.35mm License Value: USD $9,200 SELLER: Iver Johnson Arms, Inc 1840 Baldwin St. #10 Rockledge, FL 32955 Tel: 321-636-3376 FOREIGN END-USER: Aspar Arms, LLC Mamikonyanc 60 Yerevan, Armenia Tel: 37410 29-88-89 Email: info@arms.am PURPOSE: For retail sale in Armenia ¶6. Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to Posts upon request): ¶A. DSP-83 signed by Neal Kinchner (Iver Johnson) dated 11/19/2009 and Samuel Margaryan (Aspar Arms) dated 06/02/2009 Import Authorization Series NTI No. 95 issued by the Republic of Armenia Police signed by S. Afyan dated 06/17/2009 Purchase Order No. AA2-0020 from Aspar Arms signed by Samvel Margaryan dated 06/02/2009 ¶7. Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case number in the subject line. POC is Kyle M. Ballard, Phone: 202-663-1929; Email: BallardKM@state.gov; SIPRNET: BallardKM@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is available as a PDF file on Intellipedia: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/ Blue Lantern End-Use Monitoring Program ¶8. Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this matter. CLINTON