BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES FOR BROKER

UNCLAS CAIRO 002256 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 KAMAL H. ASAD - CASE NO. K-0893 REF: STATE 99502 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel request, Pol Off met with Habib Debs, President and General Manager of Sigma International. Pol Off was unable to meet with the individual listed as the broker, Kamal Asad. Debs said he himself was the principal officer. Debs said that most of his business was done through his American company, Advanced Technology Systems Company. At the moment, Sigma was not doing any business with American companies, but he maintained the broker registration in case any new projects came up. Debs confirmed that he was authorized by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense to conduct brokering activities in Egypt. Sigma does not physically handle or store any items on the United States Munitions List (USML). The company was established in the late 1970s. Debs confirmed that he was familiar with restrictions on USML items, including the unauthorized re-transfer and re-export of items. ¶2. (SBU) Debs said that one of Sigma's current projects was to provide spare parts for 250 Russian armored personnel carriers and their French engines for the Egyptian army. Tueller