POST'S RESPONSE FOR BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000026 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC PGOV KOMC TD SUBJECT: POST'S RESPONSE FOR BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON LICENSES 050183924, 050146400, AND 050136382 REF: 09 STATE 92582 ¶1. (U) Per request, Post conducted a pre-license end-use check on licenses 050183924, 050146400, and 050136382 for the export of firearms to Trinidad and Tobago. ¶2. (U) The following is a list of the specific actions taken and results of the inquiry: ¶3. (U)On Aug 12 2009 Post received a Blue lantern request for the above. On Sept 10 2009 Post visited the Specialist Shooter Training Center and spoke to owner Brent Thomas concerning the products and services provided by his company. Mr. Thomas confirmed that his company sells arms, ammunition, parts, uniforms, boots, binoculars and goggles to Trinidad's Defense Force, Police Department, Office of the Prime Minister and the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago(SAUTT). ¶4. (U) Post re-visited the Specialist Shooter Training Center on Sept 22 2009 to review the sales records for firearms received via U.S. export licenses 050146400 and 050136382. Mr. Thomas confirmed that none of the firearms had been re-exported to end-users outside of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, he confirmed that no U.S. origin defense articles had been re-exported to end-users outside Trinidad and Tobago. ¶5. (U) On October 7 2009 Post visited Lt. Commander Hayden Pritchard of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force to discuss the pistols listed on U.S. export license number 050183924. He confirmed the order was received and stated that the Specialist Shooter Training Center was properly authorized to import and sell defense articles in Trinidad and Tobago. ¶6. (U) Based on the above, Post verifies that this is a legitimate transaction. ¶7. (U) Additional inquiries may be made to Post POC Ebony Custis. Phone (868) 822-5922; Email Custise@state.gov Kusnitz KUSNITZ