Cablegate: Extrancheck: Pre-License Check: (A) and (B)

VZCZCXYZ0025
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #4960 2841211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 111211Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4548
RHMFIUU/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS MOSCOW 004960

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/DMUSLU
USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: (A) AND (B)
KALIBR 2001, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. (A) D382424
AND (B) D382425

REFTEL: USDOC 08143

1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided
below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export
Administration Act.

2. Reftel requested a Pre-license check to determine
the legitimacy and reliability of the end-user, (A)
and (B) Kalibr 2001, Vidnoe City, Moscow, Russia. The
company is listed on BIS license application (A)
D382424 and (B) D382425 as the ultimate consignee of
(A) Bushnell yardage pro 4-12X42 rangefinder and (B)
Bushnell yardage pro 4-12X42 rangefinder and 12g
shotguns 28 inches semi-auto. These items are
controlled for foreign policy and crime control
reasons under ECCN OA987. The licensee is RSR group,
Inc., 20 Cedarfield Commons, Rochester, NY 14612.

3. On September 18, 2007, Export Control Attaches
Donald Pearce, Peter Liston and FSN Natalya Shipitsina
conducted the requested pre-license check at the
offices of Inter Hunt Ltd. 17/2, Bakhrushina st.,
Moscow, Russia. The export control team met with
Aleksander Krasovsky, Director-General, Alexander
Bobovich, Commercial Director, and Kirill Ukraintsev,
International Relations Manager.

4. Inter Hunt Ltd. (IHL) was founded in 2004 as a
distributor and retailer of hunting supplies and
clothing. Kalibr 2001, the retail shop referenced in
the license application, is owned and operated by IHL.
IHL originally brokered several deals for high-end
shotguns for clients, and decided in 2006 to obtain a
permit to sell firearms. Currently IHL is a
distributor for Verney Carron, a manufacturer of high-
end hunting shotguns and rifles in France. IHL would
like to add to that line similar rifles and shotguns
from U.S. manufacturers. Most IHL clients spend
approximately 25000 - 26000 Roubles (1000 USD) per
gun. IHL is in the process of opening a second store
located closer to the city center. IHL is hoping to
become an exclusive dealer for rifles and shotguns
from U.S. manufacturer Smith and Wesson. The company
currently employs 12, and will hire an additional 10-
12 to run the new store.

5. The fifteen shotguns referenced in reftel will be
utilized for fire testing and certification for sale
by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russian acronym
MVD), and thereafter will be sold. Under Russian
firearms laws, a company may only import three of a
particular model of rifle or shotgun prior to
certification. The fifteen shotguns covered by this
license will be three each of the following: Mossberg
Model 935 12ga. 28in. Autoloader type 82035, Mossberg
930 12ga. 28in. Autoloader all-purpose type 85110,
Mossberg 930 12ga. 28in. Autoloader blued type 85115,
Mossberg 930 camouflage type 85210, Smith and Wesson
Model 1012 12ga. 28in. semiautomatic type 822300.
Upon type acceptance by MVD, IHL plans to import
larger quantities as demand requires. The laser
rangefinder riflescopes in reftel will be sold to
ultimate end users in Russia for hunting and sporting
use.

6. Russian firearms laws require gun shops to build
walk-in safe like facilites for the storage of
firearms and ammunition. Both IHL retail stores meet
or exceed the requirements, including hardened doors,
electronic surveillance and security systems, and
direct 24 hour monitoring of security alarms by MVD
Militsia. Russian citizens are permitted to purchase
a total of five rifles and/or five shotguns.

7. Recommendations: Post recommends Kalibr 2001,
Vidnoe city, Moscow, Russia, as reliable recipients of
sensitive U.S. origin commodities. It is requested
that post be notified of final disposition of the
application, and of any shipments for this
organization in order to conduct appropriate FCS
follow-up and statistical reporting.
(FCS MOSCOW/SBOZEK/DPEARCE)
BURNS

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