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

UNCLAS STATE 131561 SIPDIS NEW ZEALAND FOR MICHAEL LAYNE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC NZ SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050020134 REF: 2006 BLUE LANTERN GUIDEBOOK ¶1. This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2-4. ¶2. The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests post's assistance in conducting a post-shipment check on license 050020134 for the export of night vision devices (NVDs) to New Zealand. Post is requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 45 days. Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses involving parties to this license. ¶3. Reason for request: Unfamiliar foreign consignee and end-user, Southern Lakes Helicopter. The company has appeared on previous licenses but the company's bona fides have not been verified by a Blue Lantern check. Moreover, due to the sensitivity of the equipment and the potential for their diversion or misuse, the Department of State and the Department of Defense have policies of carefully scrutinizing NVD export licenses and taking steps to ensure proper end-use. Provisos attached to these licenses obligate the end-user to secure the NVDs from loss, theft, or unauthorized access, and to perform routine inventory checks by serial number. These records are to be made available for review upon US Government request. Specific to license 050020134 is a proviso stipulating that that the NVDs must ONLY be used when performing search and rescue (S&R) and emergency medical service (EMS) operations for Government of New Zealand (GONZ) agencies only and must not be used in conjunction with any independent commercial operations. ¶4. Action Request: Post is requested to make inquiries to confirm continued possession by Southern Lakes Helicopter of the NVDs, to determine the serial numbers of the NVDs, and to verify that all NVDs are secure and being used only for the purpose stated on the license. Department requests that post conduct a site visit, if possible, in order to gather and verify this information and establish the bona fides of unfamiliar foreign end-user, Southern Lakes Helicopters. If a site visit is not possible, please obtain official written confirmation of receipt and possession and inform PM/DTCC case officer. The following questions are provided as suggested guidance: --Does the company have a current contract with GONZ agencies for performing S&R and EMS operations? --Does the company have secure facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for handling sensitive USML items? --What is the exact end-use for this USML item? --When was the company established and who are its principals? --What is the nature of its business -- what type of items does it handle? --What type of organizations are among its typical customers and where are the customers located? --Does the company understand the restrictions on United States Munitions List (USML) items, especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfer and re-export? END ACTION ¶5. For background, the following details of the license in question are provided: DTC Case: 050020134 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 2 ITT Model F4949F, Gen III AN/AVS 9 Night Vision Goggle with FOM of 1600 or less including accessories License Value: USD 21,000.00 COMMENT: According to U.S. Customs data, 2 NVDs were exported to New Zealand on 29 July 2007 END COMMENT SELLER: Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. 4632 W. Aeronca St. Boise, ID 83705 POC is Chris Atwood, Tel. 208-287-5389 FOREIGN CONSIGNEE: Southern Lakes Helicopter Lakefront Dr. P.O. Box 156 Te Anau New Zealand POC is Richard Hayes, Tel. (03) 249 7167 FOREIGN END-USER: Southern Lakes Helicopter Lakefront Dr. P.O. Box 156 Te Anau New Zealand POC is Richard Hayes, Tel. (03) 249 7167 PURPOSE: Night vision equipment to be used to improve safety during night air operations and for S&R and EMS missions conducted through established government contracts. ¶6. 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 Tim Mazzarelli, Phone: 202-663-3867; Email: MazzarelliTP@state.gov; SIPRNET: MazzarelliTP@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's E-Book Collection on the DOS Intranet: http://buncheelectroniclibrary.state.gov/eboo ks/ BlueLanternGuidebook2006%20 final .pdf ¶7. Department is grateful for post's assistance in this matter. CLINTON