RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF BLUE

UNCLAS STATE 034957 SIPDIS WARSAW FOR AMBASSADOR VICTOR ASHE FROM ACTING PM A/S FRANK RUGGIERO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC ETTC KOMC PL SUBJECT: RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF BLUE LANTERN PROGRAM: DUNCAN WALKER ¶1. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding performance of political officer Duncan Walker in supporting the Blue Lantern program. As you know, Blue Lantern is the Department's primary instrument for monitoring the end-use of exported defense articles, technology, and services. This program is indispensable to PM's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls in making informed licensing decisions, discovering illicit supply networks, and deterring diversions of U.S. military articles and technology. ¶2. Mr. Walker demonstrated exemplary initiative in organizing and executing a very successful Blue Lantern outreach visit to Warsaw in September 2008, which included an on-site Blue Lantern check and served to strengthen our bilateral defense trade relationship with Poland. ¶3. The PM Bureau and the Department are grateful for the efforts of Mr. Walker, which have demonstrably contributed to the security and integrity of U.S. defense trade. CLINTON