BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-LICENSE/PRE-SHIPMENT

UNCLAS STATE 069718 SIPDIS BERN FOR RICHARD RORVIG BERN FOR CHRIS BUCK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC SZ SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-LICENSE/PRE-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050170718 ¶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-license/pre-shipment check on license 050170718 for the export of firearms components to Switzerland. 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: Astra Arms S.A. is importing components for the AR15 rifle but has no license history of importing AR15s. This request is to determine if the company is manufacturing AR15 rifles and, if so, whether the finished product is being sold outside of Switzerland. ¶4. Action Request: Post is requested to establish the bona fides of Astra Arms S.A. by making inquiries to representatives of the company and appropriate local authorities. Post is also requested to determine if the company is manufacturing AR15 rifles and where these defense articles are being sold. The following points are included for guidance: (To Astra Arms S.A.) --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 and components? --For what will these AR15 components be used? Do you manufacture AR15 rifles? If so, where do you market these rifles? Where are they sold? What is the model nomenclature used by your company for these rifles? Do you export any rifles that contain U.S. components? --Do you have any manufacturing or distribution agreements with other firearms manufacturers? --Are you familiar with the regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or re-export? (To Swiss Authorities) --Is Astra Arms S.A. properly authorized to import and sell defense articles in Switzerland? Is Astra Arms S.A. authorized to export firearms from Switzerland? --Do you have any information on Astra Arms S.A. that would question their reliability as a recipient of U.S. defense articles? In its reply, Post is encouraged to comment on any information pertinent to this transaction such as security of facilities, end-use, and concerns about the entities involved. ¶5. Details of license applications: DTC Case: 050170718 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 3 JAE Custom Rifle Stocks, JAE-100 Several Magpul AR15 Components (e.g. Sights, Hand Guards, Buttpads, etc) Wilson AR15 components (Sights and Extractor Assys) ARM AR15 Components (Sights, Scope Mounts, and Throw Lever Adapters) License Value: USD $15,456 SELLER: Worldwide Sports Network, Inc 81A Noblestown Road Carnegie, PA 15106 FOREIGN END-USER: Astra Arms S.A. Route de la Drague 35 Sion CH-1950 Switzerland and/or Case Postale 103 1951 Sion Switzerland Tel: 41 027.322.37.06 Email: astra@astra-arms.ch PURPOSE: For commercial resale in Switzerland ¶6. Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to Posts upon request): Official Confirmation issued by Bundesamt fur Polizel fedpol citing Import Authorization No. 708153 stamped/dated 11 Oct 2008 Import Authorization No. 708153 issued by Bundesamt fur Polizel fedpol stamped/dated 11 Oct 2008 Purchase Order issued by Astra Arms signed by Massimo Garbarino ¶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