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

UNCLAS STATE 001419 SIPDIS CANBERRA FOR DAVID ATKINSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC AS SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050126125 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 050126125 for the export of firearms to Australia. 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: PM/DTCC has never conducted a Blue Lantern check on end-user, Highland Sports. In addition, this license authorizes the export of a significant quantity of sniper-quality rifles. ¶4. Action Request: Post is requested to establish the bona fides of end-user Highland Sports (Tel: 61 2 4868 3511) as a legitimate recipient of the United States Munitions List (USML) items listed below. Post should also determine the sales history of the company; particularly for the type of rifles listed below. The following points are included for guidance: (To Highland Sports) -- How long has your company been in the business of importing and selling defense articles in Australia? What services and products are sold by your company? -- Who are your regular customers and where do they reside? -- How many Howa M1500 rifles did you sell last year? What are your projected sales for this year? Are these kind of rifles usually sold to your customers individually or do they generally purchase more than one? For what do your customers use these firearms? -- Does your company sell firearms to non-Australian citizens or residents? Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information pertinent to these transactions such as security of facilities and concerns about the entities involved. ¶5. Details of license application: DTC Case: 050126125 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 200 Howa M1500 Bolt Action Rifles, .223 Caliber Varm Lightening 100 Howa M1500 Bolt Action Rifles, .22-250 Caliber Varm Lightening 50 Howa M1500 Bolt Action Rifles, .243 Caliber Varm Lightening 50 Howa M1500 Bolt Action Rifles, .308 Caliber Varm Lightening License Value: USD $95,200 SELLER: Legacy Sports International 4750 Longley Lane Suite 208 Reno, NV 89502 FOREIGN END-USER: Highland Sports Pty Ltd Berrima Road War Lot 10, Unit 9 Berrima Road Moss Vale, Australia Other Address Listed: Highland Sports Pty Ltd 372 Berrima Street Moss Vale NSW 2577 Tel: 61 2 4868 3511 PURPOSE: For Commercial Resale in Australia ¶6. Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to Posts upon request): DSP-83 signed by Flavia Riva dated 08/25/2008 and John Anderson dated 10/02/2008 Import Permit No N 081546 dated 08/19/2008 signed by Christie Palmer of the NSW Police Purchase Order No 101555 from Highland Sports dated 08/18/2008 signed by Jenna Kellond ¶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 in the Bunche Library's E-Book Collection on the DOS Intranet: http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/ BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf ¶8. Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this matter. RICE