VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #5752 3411330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071330Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5752
RHMFIUU/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS MOSCOW 005752 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/LRITTER 
USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: 
KAVKAZTRANSGAZ, STAVROPOL, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D384246 
 
REFTEL: USDOC 09022 
 
 
¶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, 
Kavkaztransgaz, Stavropol, Russia. The company is 
listed on BIS license application D384246 as the 
ultimate consignee of a Flir Systems Inc. model 
thermacam gasfinder thermal imaging system. These 
items are controlled for national security and nuclear 
non-proliferation reasons under ECCN 6A003. The 
licensee is Flir Systems, Inc., 27700 SW parkway 
Avenue, Wilsonville, OR 97070. 
 
¶3. On November 20, 2007, Export Control Attache Peter 
Liston and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted the 
requested pre-license check at the offices of 
Kavkaztransgaz, 6, Pr. Oktyabrskoy Revolutsii, 
Stavropol, Russia. The export control team met with 
Aleksey Yachinsky, Chief Engineer. 
 
¶4. Aleksey Yachinsky, Chief Engineer at Kavkaztransgas 
LTD, Stavropol, Russia was interviewed by ECO Liston 
about Kavkaztransgas' pending license request to 
purchase the Flir Systems Inc. model thermacam 
gasfinder thermal imaging system.  Yachinsky stated 
that he has been with Kavkaztransgas more then 10 
years, and holds a Doctorate in Technical Science.  He 
stated that Kavkaztransgas cerebrated it's 50 
anniversary in 2006.  Yachinsky further stated that 
Kavkaztransgas is a subsidiary of Russian energy giant 
Gazprom and has 8000 employees throughout Southern 
Russia. 
 
¶5. Aleksey Yachinsky indicted that the Flir Systems 
Inc. model thermacam gasfinder thermal imaging system 
will be used at Kavkaztransgas compressor stations to 
detect gas leakage in their pipeline-to-pipeline 
system.  Yachinsky indicted that the thermal imaging 
system is not a significant purchase, however, it will 
be financed through GazpromBank.  Yachinsky indicated 
that the Flir Systems Inc. model thermacam gasfinder 
thermal imaging system will be secured at all times 
when not in use.  He further stated that there would 
be two specialists trained in Moscow on the use of the 
system prior to its usage and that it will not be 
taken outside of Russia.  Yachinsky also stated that 
he and the company are familiar with the restrictions 
on the use and disposal of the system under the 
license from the Department of Commerce and have 
purchased licensable equipment from the United States 
in the past. 
 
¶6. Recommendations: Post recommends Kavkaztransgas, 
Stavropol, 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/PLISTON) 
BURNS