Cablegate: Blue Lantern Level 3: Post-License/Pre-Shipment

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #8244 0292123
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 292111Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0000
INFO RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0000
RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD 0000
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC 0000
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC 0000

UNCLAS STATE 008244

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
SAN SALVADOR FOR BRENT CHRISTENSEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC ES
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-LICENSE/PRE-SHIPMENT
END-USE CHECK ON LICENSES 050142683 AND 050142804

REF: 08 GUATEMALA 183

1. (U) This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2 - 4.

2. (U) The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls
Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests Post's assistance in conducting
a post-license/pre-shipment check on licenses 050142683 and
050142804 for the export of firearms to El Salvador. Post is
requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days.
Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending
and future licenses involving parties to this license.

3. (SBU) Reason for Request: Previous Blue Lantern check in
Guatemala indicates that Guido Lobo, owner of Salvadoran
company Conavesa SA de CV, also has a business interest in
Guatemalan firearms dealer, El Lobo (REFTEL). During the
course of that check, representatives of El Lobo attempted to
conceal Mr. Lobo's affiliation with the business. In
addition, license 050142804 and the corresponding purchase
order issued by Conavesa SA de CV lists "Beretta Model
JX49220M" rifles which is actually the item number for the
Beretta Model Cx4 Tactical Carbine. Mislabeling of this kind
is often a deliberate attempt to evade further end-use
documentation required for each individual tactical weapon
exported from the United States. This check is to establish
the bona fides of Conavesa SA de CV and to determine if the
company was involved in evasive activity.

4. (SBU) Action Request: Post is requested to establish the
bona fides of Conavesa SA de CV by making appropriate
inquires with representatives of the company and authorities
of local law enforcement. Post is also requested to determine
any reason why Mr. Lobo's affiliation with Guatemalan
company, El Lobo, may be concealed. The following points are
included for guidance:

(To Conavesa SA de CV)

--Can you confirm that the firearms listed below are being
purchased for commercial resale in El Salvador? Who are your
regular customers and where do they reside? Are you familiar
with the regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin
defense articles, including restrictions on re-transfer or
re-export?

--Do any proprietors of Conavesa SA de CV have business
interests outside El Salvador involving US-origin defense
articles or services? If so, please describe these business
interests and the individual's involvement. Is there a
business relationship between Conavesa and these foreign
business interests? Does commercial activity take place
between Conavesa and these foreign businesses?

--Can you explain why your purchase order on license
050142804 lists Beretta JX49220M rifles for these Beretta Cx4
carbines? Are these carbines presold? How many of these
carbines do you sell per year? What is the ultimate end-use
of these carbines?

In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information
pertinent to these transactions such as security of
facilities, end-use, and concerns about the entities involved.

5. (U) Details of license applications:

A.

DTC Case: 050142683

QUANTITY/COMMODITY:

15 Marlin Model 60 SB Rifles, .22 Caliber

15 Marlin Model 60S-CF Rifles, .22 Caliber

5 Marlin Model 917VS-CF Rifles

15 Marlin Model 982VS-CF Rifles, .22 Caliber

15 Marlin Model 983S Rifles, .22 Caliber

License Value: USD $13,500

SELLER:

Valor Corporation
1001 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway
Sunrise, FL 33323

FOREIGN INTERMEDIATE CONSIGNEE:

Sercogua El Salvador SA de CV
Avenida Masferrer Norte, Pasaje Las Rosas #5267 Lomas Verdes
Colonia Escalon
San Salvador, El Salvador

FOREIGN END-USER:

Conavesa SA de CV
Calle Ramon Belloso y Avenida Republica de Alemania #4
Colonia Escalon
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 2264-5233, 2264-6270, 2243-2384

PURPOSE:

For commercial resale in El Salvador

B.

DTC Case: 050142804

QUANTITY/COMMODITY:

25 Beretta Model JX49220M Rifles, 9mm (aka Beretta Cx4
Carbines)

License Value: USD $20,000

SELLER:

Valor Corporation
1001 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway
Sunrise, FL 33323

FOREIGN INTERMEDIATE CONSIGNEE:

Sercogua El Salvador SA de CV
Avenida Masferrer Norte, Pasaje Las Rosas #5267 Lomas Verdes
Colonia Escalon
San Salvador, El Salvador

FOREIGN END-USER:

Conavesa SA de CV
Calle Ramon Belloso y Avenida Republica de Alemania #4
Colonia Escalon
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 2264-5233, 2264-6270, 2243-2384

PURPOSE:

For commercial resale in El Salvador

6. (U) Submitted in support of the license application were
the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to
Posts upon request):

A.

DSP-83 signed by Guido Roberto Lobo Sandoval and Harry A.
Lopez dated 01/23/2009

Import Authorization No. 2994 signed by Marco Antonio
Palacios Luna of the Ministerio de la Defensa Nacional dated
10/24/2008 (stamped 11/03/2008)

Purchase Order from Conavesa SA de CV signed by Guido Lobo
dated 11/11/2008

B.

DSP-83 signed by Guido Roberto Lobo Sandoval and Harry A.
Lopez dated 01/26/2009

Import Authorization No. 3119 signed by Marco Antonio
Palacios Luna of the Ministerio de la Defensa Nacional dated
11/06/2008 (stamped 11/10/2008)

Purchase Order from Conavesa SA de CV signed by Guido Lobo
dated 11/11/2008

7. (U) 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 in the Bunche Library's E-Book
Collection on the DOS Intranet:
http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/
BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf

8. (U) Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this
matter.
CLINTON

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