Cablegate: Blue Lantern Level 3: Pre-License End Use Check On

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

UNCLAS TUNIS 000909

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (LAWRENCE)
STATE FOR PM/DTCC (TWATKINS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC TS
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
LICENSE 05-953951 FOR BELL HELICOPTER SPARE PARTS TO TUNISIA

REF: SECSTATE 51325

1. (SBU) Post has made appropriate inquiries to establish the
legitimacy of a transaction for the export of AB205 Bell
helicopter spare parts to Tunisia and concludes that it is a
legitimate transaction. In addition, the post has
investigated concerns regarding the end user, the Tunisian
Army, and the large quantity of Bell helicopter spare parts
in this order, and has assessed the risk of a diversion as
very low.

2. (U) The Tunisian Ministry of Defense confirms that the
Tunisian Air Force not, repeat not, the Tunisian Army has a
contract with SW Florida Aviation to repair its AB205 Bell
Helicopters. The repair work is carried out at the Sidi
Ahmed Air Base in Tunisia. Supply contract #CM/MDN/2004 is
currently in place with SW Florida Aviation. The contract is
dated September 27, 2004 and covers work for one year. The
Tunisian military utilizes AB205 Bell Helicopters primarily
for internal troop movements and border surveillance. The
AB205 Bell Helicopters are also used for VIP government
transportation and logistics requirements as needed.

3. (U) SW Florida Technicians (part of SW Florida Aviation)
has operated an office in Tunis since November 2004. The
Tunisian Air force is the sole client of SW Florida
Technicians (SW Florida Aviation) in Tunisia. Post has no
information available on the number of clients throughout the
region for either SW Florida Technicians or SW Florida
Aviation. Post recommends that PM/DTCC seek information on
regional clients directly from SW Florida Technicians or SW
Florida Aviation or from other regional posts with SW Florida
Technicians or SW Florida Aviation offices.
HUDSON

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