Cablegate: Blue Lantern: Verifying Bona Fides for Broker

VZCZCXYZ0024
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #2257 3411049
ZNR UUUUU ZZH(CCY-ADXE7DA75-MSI4184-413)
O 071049Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4399
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS CAIRO 002257

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS EG
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES FOR BROKER
SHERIF M.A. EL-SAID - CASE NO. K-2001

REF: STATE 99501

1. (SBU) In response to reftel request, Pol Off met with
registered broker El Sayed Safwat Saleh at the offices of the
Arab Trading International Company. The firm's General
Manager, Osama Fathy, was also present. Saleh confirmed that
he was authorized by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense to
conduct brokering activities in Egypt. The Arab Trading
International Company provides consulting services only for
sensitive items, so the firm does not physically handle or
store any items on the United States Munitions List on behalf
of its clients. The company was established 12 years ago.
In addition to Saleh and Fathy, the only additional partner
is Sahar Shaheen. Besides the partners, the firm employs six
other people. The firm's only customers are located in Egypt
and are predominantly military organizations or petroleum
companies. Both Saleh and Fathy are retired military
officers.

2. (SBU) Saleh explained that the firm focuses on three main
areas: 1) consulting services for military factories, 2)
spare parts for oil servicing companies, and 3) spare parts
for factories. Saleh said he was asked to register as a
broker by L3, who Arab Trading International Company is
consulting for on a proposed overall of M60A3 tank engines
that would be financed through the Foreign Military Financing
program.
Tueller

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