Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN284
2009-01-29 13:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0019 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #0284 0291346 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 291346Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4334
UNCLAS AMMAN 000284
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
AGREEMENT TA 0019-07B (RAINBOW AIRCRAFT PARTS)
REF: A. WILSON-STITZIEL EMAIL NOV08
B. 08 STATE 123376
UNCLAS AMMAN 000284
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
AGREEMENT TA 0019-07B (RAINBOW AIRCRAFT PARTS)
REF: A. WILSON-STITZIEL EMAIL NOV08
B. 08 STATE 123376
1. (SBU) EconOffs first met with Mr. Mousa Ababneh, in
November 2008 (Ref A). He identified himself as a former
Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Brigadier General (aircraft
maintenance background, including an advanced engineering
degree from Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio in 1998),and owner of Rainbow
Aircraft Parts.
2. (SBU) Ababneh reported he was just starting up his
business (which he explained was why there was no company
web-page, no listing in local business directories, etc.),
adding he had been a one-man operation, working via his
cell-phone out of his personal residence, until opening a
facility (hanger) and identifying two technicians ready to
begin work. During a second meeting in January 2009,
EconOffs visited his new facility at the local regional
airfield, Marka, where he operates in a space affiliated with
a local aircraft support company ("FBO"),Royal Wings, and
met his two AmCit technicians. Ababneh reports he is now
operational and materials are being delivered to begin the
work.
3. (SBU) Ababneh stated that his firm plans to do the
chaff/flare modifications on Mi-17 helicopters, and also
mentioned that he is the "commercial consultant" (agent) in
Jordan for Rolls Royce Aircraft.
4. (SBU) PolMilOff contacted a Royal Jordanian Air Force
(RJAF) official who confirmed Ababneh was both an engineer
and a retired Brigadier General, but was not aware of his
current business activities.
5. (SBU) EconOffs met several officials from Royal Wings (a
known, established company in Jordan),who described their
operations and explained that they lease hanger space to
several firms, including Ababneh's, for aviation maintenance
requirements. Additionally Econ Specialist spoke with one of
the chiefs of maintenance and engineering at Royal Wings,
Mr. Zuhair Zahdih, who confirmed that he personally knows
Ababneh and is familiar with this company; Zahdih, reported
Royal Wings has a "professional relationship" with Rainbow,
related to supplying spare parts for the Iraqi Mi-17s.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
Beecroft
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
AGREEMENT TA 0019-07B (RAINBOW AIRCRAFT PARTS)
REF: A. WILSON-STITZIEL EMAIL NOV08
B. 08 STATE 123376
1. (SBU) EconOffs first met with Mr. Mousa Ababneh, in
November 2008 (Ref A). He identified himself as a former
Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Brigadier General (aircraft
maintenance background, including an advanced engineering
degree from Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio in 1998),and owner of Rainbow
Aircraft Parts.
2. (SBU) Ababneh reported he was just starting up his
business (which he explained was why there was no company
web-page, no listing in local business directories, etc.),
adding he had been a one-man operation, working via his
cell-phone out of his personal residence, until opening a
facility (hanger) and identifying two technicians ready to
begin work. During a second meeting in January 2009,
EconOffs visited his new facility at the local regional
airfield, Marka, where he operates in a space affiliated with
a local aircraft support company ("FBO"),Royal Wings, and
met his two AmCit technicians. Ababneh reports he is now
operational and materials are being delivered to begin the
work.
3. (SBU) Ababneh stated that his firm plans to do the
chaff/flare modifications on Mi-17 helicopters, and also
mentioned that he is the "commercial consultant" (agent) in
Jordan for Rolls Royce Aircraft.
4. (SBU) PolMilOff contacted a Royal Jordanian Air Force
(RJAF) official who confirmed Ababneh was both an engineer
and a retired Brigadier General, but was not aware of his
current business activities.
5. (SBU) EconOffs met several officials from Royal Wings (a
known, established company in Jordan),who described their
operations and explained that they lease hanger space to
several firms, including Ababneh's, for aviation maintenance
requirements. Additionally Econ Specialist spoke with one of
the chiefs of maintenance and engineering at Royal Wings,
Mr. Zuhair Zahdih, who confirmed that he personally knows
Ababneh and is familiar with this company; Zahdih, reported
Royal Wings has a "professional relationship" with Rainbow,
related to supplying spare parts for the Iraqi Mi-17s.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
Beecroft