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Case No. FNK-2017-345492-1
Peter J. Kahn
Williams & Connolly LLP
725 Twelfth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Dear Mr Kahn:
This letter responds to your correspondence dated June 13, 2017, which was resubmitted on July 7, 2017, to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requesting an extension of General License Nos. 3A and 3B, which permit U.S. persons to engage in certain transactions with two Panamanian newspapers, La Estrella and El Siglo. As you know, La Estrella and El Siglo are owned by Abdul Mohamed Waked Fares, an individual who has been designated by OFAC pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 1901-1908 (the "Kingpin Act"); as such, United States persons are generally prohibited from transacting with Abdul Mohamed Waked Fares unless authorized by OFAC.
OFAC has evaluated your request,...
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1) The GL to which the letter refers is FNKSR - General License 3.
2) The letter is notable as confirmation that requests for general licenses can be made through the ordinary licensing process, just as requests for specific licenses can. OFAC's licensing division will review the application and reply. This is not otherwise evident from the licensing portal application instructions. In this case, OFAC notes that, as a non-U.S. person, the SDN can apply for a specific license (which, for practical purposes, would be a license that allows U.S. persons to be involved in transactions that also involve the SDN).
3) For further factual information refer to the following links (all in Spanish):
(i) https://www.anpanama.com/7754-EEUU-quita-restricciones-al-Grupo-Editorial-La-Estrella-de-Panama-y-El-Siglo.note.aspx
(ii) https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/SIP-economica-acciones-EEUU-GESE_0_4801019926.html
(iii) http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/canciller-solicita-ofac-reconsiderar-extension-licencia-gese/24012605
(iv)