Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RABAT446
2008-05-19 07:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON

Tags:  ETTC KOMC MO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #0446 1400721
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 190721Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8583
INFO RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 4095
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFIUU/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS RABAT 000446 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC MO
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-050096158

REF: STATE 050430

UNCLAS RABAT 000446

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC MO
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-050096158

REF: STATE 050430


1. (SBU) Post validates the bona fides of application
05-050096158 and asses the information conveyed reftel as
accurate. On May 16, Econoff visited Technical Communication
Solutions Maroc (TCSM) and met with its Director, Ahmed
Eljorfi. TCSM is a small consulting business, with an office
in the industrial zone of Temara. Eljorfi was able to speak
about the sale, intended use, and export license application
for 12 x Advanced Radar Surveillance Systems (ARSS-1),and
produced operating and maintenance manuals for the equipment.
He produced his file of the transaction that included a
signed purchase order between the Chief of the Procurement
Division, National Defense Administration (MOD) and
Telephonics Corp, signed January 9, 2008. Eljorfi explained
his (TCSM) role in the transaction as a consultant and
facilitator, who was first approached by Colonel Major
Boujemaa Bouraada, Inspector of Transmission (Signal Corps)
in 2007.


2. (SBU) Eljori is a retired Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF)
avionics and radar officer/technician. He attended technical
training with the U.S. Air Force at Chanute AFB, IL in 1977,
and at McClellan AFB, CA in 1983. He retired from the RMAF
in 1992 and worked for Harris Corp. until starting his own
consulting firm in 1999. His firm specializes in security
and surveillance equipment. He explained that the 12 ARSS-1
radars are ground surveillance systems that will be used by
Moroccan border security forces to detect illegal immigrants
and unauthorized transit along Morocco's borders. He said
TCSM would never take possession of the equipment, but that
it would instead go directly to the Direction of Reception
and Transit in Casablanca (a military storage and reception
facility) before being deployed to the field. Eljori
explained that his role was to act as Telephonics (Griffon
Corporation's electronic and communication systems
subsidiary) intermediary in Morocco, and to provide
instruction to the Moroccan military on its operation and
maintenance. When asked how he became involved with
Telephonics, Eljori said he was first approached by the
Signal Corps in February 2007, who was interested in
purchasing border surveillance radars. Eljori explained he
did a simple search on the Internet for distributors of
suitable systems, which led to his association with
Telephonics.


3. (SBU) In a March 2008 meeting with U.S. Ambassador Riley,
Lt Gen Abdelaziz Bennani, Inspector General of the Royal
Moroccan Armed Forces (CHOD),mentioned these radars and
asked for USG assistance in facilitating their delivery.
Post has no doubt the Moroccan military ordered them from
Telephonics or that TCSM is the bona fide local agent for
Telephonics in Morocco.


*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************

Riley