VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #0277/01 0570906
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260906Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5607
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 1034

UNCLAS PARIS 000277 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR 
STATE FOR NEA/RA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC KOMC AG FR
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON 
LICENSE 05-0113393 
 
REF:  08 STATE 129720 
 
¶1. (U) Embassy has determined from open sources that OCEA's patrol 
boat contract with Algeria was one of the major foreign military 
contracts France obtained in 2007.  The company's website indicates 
that OCEA has existed since 1987, has approximately 150 employees, 
and produces 10 to 15 aluminum vessels per year (value in 2005:  27 
million euros), 75% of which are for export. 
 
¶2. (U) On December 17, 2008, Embassy wrote Mr. Jean-Marc Wavrant, 
Finance Director of OCEA, producer of Fast Patrol Vessels for the 
Algerian Naval Coast Guard, Quai de la Cabaude, 85100 LES SABLES 
D'OLONNE (Tel:  +33-2-51-21-05-90; Fax:  +33-2-51-21-20-06; email: 
rJoassard@ocea.fr) to ask for a response to reftel questions 
concerning the export of night vision device component parts to 
Algeria and company security procedures.  During a subsequent 
telephone conversation Mr. Wavrant stated that he had already 
provided similar information to the Department of State.  Embassy 
informed him that no previously communicated information was on file 
at Embassy Paris.  On January 26, 2009 Embassy again wrote Mr. 
Wavrant to ask for an immediate response to the Embassy's December 
inquiry, noting that failure to provide information could negatively 
impact export license requests.  Post received cursory response 
(para 3) from Mr. Wavrant on February 16. 
 
¶3. (U) Response by OCEA is as follows: 
 
Text of faxed cover letter 
(Informal Embassy translation from French) 
 
       February 16, 2009 
 
Dear Sir: 
 
In response to your request of January 26, 2009, we feel it is best 
to inform you that we have already responded to a State Department 
request regarding the case relevant to our contract with the 
Algerian Minister of Defense, a copy of which you will find herewith 
enclosed. 
 
We hope that you receive the attached in good order. 
 
      Sincerely, 
 
 
 
      ¶J. M. Wavrant 
      Finance Director, OCEA 
 
Text of Attached Letter 
(Original in English) 
 
Roland Joassard 
Chief of the Board 
OCEA 
Partners All The Way 
Quai de la Cabaude 
85100 Les Sables D'Olonne 
France 
Tel:  33-2-51-21-05-90 
Fax:  33-2-51-21-20-06 
 
March 31, 2008 
 
Colonal Steven M. Soucek 
NEA/RA Political Military Advisor 
Fax:  001-202-647-7837 
 
RE:  Fax dated 3/4/2008 
 
Dear Colonel, 
 
OCEA has been awarded a contract for the supply of 20 units of the 
OCEA FPB 98 MKI which is a fast patrol boat from our range design to 
fulfill standard Coast guard missions like: 
 
--Safety missions at sea 
--Local pollution treatment 
--Security mission at sea 
--Reduction of illegal migration 
 
The main characteristics of the FPB 98 MKI are: 
 
--LOA:   32,50 M 
--Beam:  6,50 M 
--Crew: 12 
--Speed: 30 kts about 
--Range: 900 Nm 
 
The boats are equipped with a 30 mm gun turret from MSI (UK) as the 
Algerian Coast Guard are facing very aggressive and armed smugglers 
sailing between Algeria, Spain and France on board high speed crafts 
but not only. (SIC) 
 
Best Regards, 
 
Roland Joassard 
Chief of the Board 
 
PEKALA