BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES FOR BROKER SAID

UNCLAS CAIRO 002252 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 SAID ABDEL HAMID GALAL - CASE NO. K-1502 REF: STATE 99500 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel request, Pol Off met with registered broker Said Abdel Hamid Galal at the offices of ASTC Matrix International for Import and Export. Galal confirmed that he was authorized by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense to conduct brokering activities in Egypt. The firm only provides consulting services, so the firm does not physically handle or store any items on the United States Munitions List (USML). The company was established in 1997. Galal has one partner, Moustafa Arafa, and employs four other people. Galal said his only customers are Egyptian military and intelligence organizations. Galal confirmed that he was familiar with restrictions on USML items, including the unauthorized re-transfer and re-export of items. He is a retired military officer. ¶2. (SBU) Galal explained that his company provided consulting services on electronic warfare and electronic recording equipment. Specific projects include consulting on recording equipment for the Ministry of Interior's anti-bribery division and electronic intelligence systems for the Navy. Tueller