Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA2282
2006-03-14 13:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
BLUE LANTERN: EAVESDROPPING EQUIPMENT LICENSE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0040 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #2282 0731311 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141311Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3105 INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 6727
UNCLAS BOGOTA 002282
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DDTC: PETER DADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC MX CO US
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: EAVESDROPPING EQUIPMENT LICENSE
968580
REF: STATE 36063
UNCLAS BOGOTA 002282
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DDTC: PETER DADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC MX CO US
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: EAVESDROPPING EQUIPMENT LICENSE
968580
REF: STATE 36063
1. SUMMARY: Post visited the offices of Eagle Commercial on
Wednesday, March 8th to verify the information requested
reftel. The company was founded in Bogota, Colombia by
Arquemidis Bonilla Vega in 1997 and is a registered
distributor, importer, exporter, and retailer of electronic
and communications equipment. Eagle Commercial represents
three other U.S. manufacturers of sensitive technology and
has contracts with the U.S. Embassy in Bogota along with the
Colombian military and police. Eagle Commercial is located
in a secure building in a relatively safe part of Bogota. END
SUMMARY
2. The following are answers to DDTC's questions:
Q: Is Eagle Commercial S.A. a reputable firm?
A: Econoff determined that Eagle Commercial is a reputable
firm that has dealings with the GOC, USG and others. Post's
FCS office has an on-going relationship with Eagle Commercial
S.A. and recently provided them with assistance in signing a
representation agreement with Taser Stun Guns from the U.S.
Eagle Commercial is certified to sell security equipment by
the Colombian Ministry of Defense and is ISO 9000 certified
by BvQi in Colombia. During a visit to Eagle Commercial's
offices in Bogota, econoff was shown copies of the last two
years of annual updates submitted to DDTC and obtained a copy
of Eagle's registration letter from DDTC: number 0906-487.
Lastly, Harris Corporation of Melbourne Florida renewed the
Latin American representation agreement it has with Eagle
Commercial in January of 2006.
Q: Does Eagle have a history/track record of legitimate
electronics business dealings?
A: Eagle Commercial began operations in 1997 and currently
represents the following U.S. companies; Pen-Link, iCOM,
RACOM and Harris Corporation at either a regional or local
level. Econoff paid a surprise visit to Eagle Commercial and
during the visit obtained copies of Harris Corporation's
representational agreements, contracts with the Ministry of
Defense, and documentation related to the Nuevo Leon
contract. The visit revealed that Eagle Commercial is a
well-established company with records dating back over
several years. Additionally, econoff toured the facilities,
which house 21 full-time employees and are fully equipped for
the sale and distribution of electronics.
Q: Does Eagle have the requisite local security in the case
that the equipment transits Colombia before reaching Mexico?
A: Econoff toured the Eagle Commercial facilities and
determined that the company possesses sufficient security
measures to keep the Harris Corporation eavesdropping
equipment safe should it get shipped to Bogota. Eagle
Commercial's Bogota offices are located in a popular
restaurant and business district close to several Embassies.
Inside the facility, there are full-time security guards and
sound proof glass. Inside of the offices, there are digital
surveillance cameras as well as voice and email recording
systems monitoring phone conversations and computer activity.
Each Eagle Commercial employee is investigated for any
derogatory information and is given a three-month trial
period during which time the new employee is closely
monitored.
3. Comment: Econoff is confident that Eagle Commercial is a
legitimate business and is equipped to protect the sensitive
technology contained in the Nuevo Leon contract.
Additionally, Eagle Commercial is the only legitimate
distributor/representative of Harris Corporation in Latin
America and would be the only source from which the State of
Nuevo Leon could purchase this specific Harris Corporation
technology. END COMMENT
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DDTC: PETER DADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC MX CO US
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: EAVESDROPPING EQUIPMENT LICENSE
968580
REF: STATE 36063
1. SUMMARY: Post visited the offices of Eagle Commercial on
Wednesday, March 8th to verify the information requested
reftel. The company was founded in Bogota, Colombia by
Arquemidis Bonilla Vega in 1997 and is a registered
distributor, importer, exporter, and retailer of electronic
and communications equipment. Eagle Commercial represents
three other U.S. manufacturers of sensitive technology and
has contracts with the U.S. Embassy in Bogota along with the
Colombian military and police. Eagle Commercial is located
in a secure building in a relatively safe part of Bogota. END
SUMMARY
2. The following are answers to DDTC's questions:
Q: Is Eagle Commercial S.A. a reputable firm?
A: Econoff determined that Eagle Commercial is a reputable
firm that has dealings with the GOC, USG and others. Post's
FCS office has an on-going relationship with Eagle Commercial
S.A. and recently provided them with assistance in signing a
representation agreement with Taser Stun Guns from the U.S.
Eagle Commercial is certified to sell security equipment by
the Colombian Ministry of Defense and is ISO 9000 certified
by BvQi in Colombia. During a visit to Eagle Commercial's
offices in Bogota, econoff was shown copies of the last two
years of annual updates submitted to DDTC and obtained a copy
of Eagle's registration letter from DDTC: number 0906-487.
Lastly, Harris Corporation of Melbourne Florida renewed the
Latin American representation agreement it has with Eagle
Commercial in January of 2006.
Q: Does Eagle have a history/track record of legitimate
electronics business dealings?
A: Eagle Commercial began operations in 1997 and currently
represents the following U.S. companies; Pen-Link, iCOM,
RACOM and Harris Corporation at either a regional or local
level. Econoff paid a surprise visit to Eagle Commercial and
during the visit obtained copies of Harris Corporation's
representational agreements, contracts with the Ministry of
Defense, and documentation related to the Nuevo Leon
contract. The visit revealed that Eagle Commercial is a
well-established company with records dating back over
several years. Additionally, econoff toured the facilities,
which house 21 full-time employees and are fully equipped for
the sale and distribution of electronics.
Q: Does Eagle have the requisite local security in the case
that the equipment transits Colombia before reaching Mexico?
A: Econoff toured the Eagle Commercial facilities and
determined that the company possesses sufficient security
measures to keep the Harris Corporation eavesdropping
equipment safe should it get shipped to Bogota. Eagle
Commercial's Bogota offices are located in a popular
restaurant and business district close to several Embassies.
Inside the facility, there are full-time security guards and
sound proof glass. Inside of the offices, there are digital
surveillance cameras as well as voice and email recording
systems monitoring phone conversations and computer activity.
Each Eagle Commercial employee is investigated for any
derogatory information and is given a three-month trial
period during which time the new employee is closely
monitored.
3. Comment: Econoff is confident that Eagle Commercial is a
legitimate business and is equipped to protect the sensitive
technology contained in the Nuevo Leon contract.
Additionally, Eagle Commercial is the only legitimate
distributor/representative of Harris Corporation in Latin
America and would be the only source from which the State of
Nuevo Leon could purchase this specific Harris Corporation
technology. END COMMENT
WOOD