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

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSJ #0929 3031805
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301805Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1363

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000929

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC CS
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-SHIPMENT/POST LICENSE
END-USE CHECK COMPLETED ON LICENSE 050193600

REF: A. STATE 110306
B. 06 SAN JOSE 1569

1. Per Ref A, Post establishes the bona fides of the
transaction by Koruma Lenex to purchase 349 Beretta Model
92FS pistols for the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security
(MPS). Post's contacts within the MPS confirmed to us that
they ordered these weapons as part of the GOCR's new
anti-crime strategy that is related to and complementary of
the USG's Merida Initiative.

2. Post has no current derogatory information on Koruma Lenex
as reported per Ref B. Since 2006, Post has interviewed and
checked the facilities of Koruma Lenex on several occasions
and found them to be legitimate recipients of United States
Munition List items. MPS also confirmed to us that Lenex has
not been selling weapons to Armeria Rex, a gunshop that has
been suspected of diverting firearms to entities outside of
Costa Rica in the past.
BRENNAN

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