GEORGIA: RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3:

UNCLAS TBILISI 001574 SIPDIS PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-LICENSE/PRE-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSES 050139003 AND 050168499 REF: STATE 75947 ¶1. Post has completed the post-license/pre-shipment check on licenses 050139003 and 050168499 for export of firearms and ammunition to Georgia per reftel. Post confirms that Kula LTD is in compliance with Georgian law; the licenses are still valid; and that the end user is a legitimate commercial business. All Kula LTD stores have an electronic security system with motion detectors, reinforced entry doors and windows, and security guards. Response to Questions About Kula LTD ¶2. Kula LTD was established in 1996 by Ivane Goglidze, owner. Kula LTD sells products for hunting and home protection. These include rifles, shotguns, hand guns, knives, camouflage clothing, boots, ammunition, gun maintenance items and other hunting specific items. Kula LTD also sells novelty swords and various "Samurai" types of swords. The only service that the Kula LTD is licensed to provide is in-house ammunition loading. Kula LTD can sell to any citizen who has registered and received permission from the police to purchase weapons. A potential buyer must provide a registration card as proof of registration. Most customers are hunters, collectors and people with an interest in home defnse. Kula LTD currently has no sales of U.S. origin firearms. Their annual sales of non-U.S. defense articles are around 1,800,000 Lari (USD 1,071,428). The representative for Kula LTD stated that he was aware of and intend to abide by the regulations and restrictions governing the import and re-transfer or re-export of U.S. origin defense articles. Response to Questions for Import/Export Authorities - Ministry of Defense ¶3. Kula LTD is properly authorized to import and sell defense articles in Georgia. This was confirmed by Vasil Modrekelidze, Head of the License and Permission Division of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia. According to Georgian law, licenses have no expiration date and are issued permanently. The Kula LTD license signed by D. Kezerashvili dated 13/11/2006 remains valid. The Ministry of Defense said Kula LTD has "honestly cooperated" with authorities and has not violated Georgian law. TEFFT