Cablegate: Pre-License Check - Bahrain Defense Force License

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MANAMA 000357

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTCC TIM WATKINS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC BA
SUBJECT: PRE-LICENSE CHECK - BAHRAIN DEFENSE FORCE LICENSE
05-951007

REF: STATE 21962

1. Reftel requested a pre-license check to determine the
legitimacy of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) as a recipient
of sensitive U.S.-origin technology. The BDF was listed on
U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security
application 05-951007 as the proposed end-user of one servo
cylinder and five cap ring seals for use in an AH-1
helicopter. The application was submitted by Textron Inc. of
Santa Clarita, CA. Hawker Pacific Airservices LTD of the
United Arab Emirates is the foreign consignee and Aston
Aviation Supplies PTE LT of Singapore is the foreign
intermediate consignee.

2. Econ/Comm Officer, accompanied by a representative of the
Embassy's Office of Military Cooperation, conducted a
pre-license check at BDF headquarters in Issa Town on March
13. Major Farooq Salim Nazmi, Director of Maintenance and
Logistics, explained that the BDF has owned and operated AH-1
helicopters since the 1990's and has purchased parts through
Hawker Pacific Airservices for at least fifteen years (Note:
The period that Nazmi has been working for the BDF. End
Note.) Post confirms that the BDF received its first AH-1
helicopter in 1993. Nazmi was open to discuss all aspects of
the spare parts acquisition. He was not familiar, however,
with U.S. Export Administration regulations and expressed his
surprise that after twelve years of owning, operating, and
repairing AH-1 helicopters, this was the first time he had
encountered a pre-license check.

3. Recommendation: Based on visit by post, the Bahrain
Defense Force appears to be a reliable recipient of
U.S.-origin commodities for this transaction. The BDF has a
long-established working relationship with Hawker Pacific
Airservices LTD and a proven record of responsibly owning and
operating AH-1 helicopters. Post is not in a position to
verify the legitimacy of foreign intermediate consignee Aston
Aviation Supplies PTE LT and recommends that, should there be
any outstanding questions, PM/DTCC contact the Blue Lantern
coordinator in Singapore.
MONROE

© Scoop Media