RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY CASE NO.

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001066 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PM/DTCC- BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ETTC EIND EINT KU SUBJECT: RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY CASE NO. K-2171 REF: STATE 99551 ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel request, Econoff visited Al-Emdad General Trade & Contracting Establishment on October 28 and met with its general manager, Tariq Jassim Al-Sane to substantiate the company's bona fides as a broker of USML items. Econoff confirmed that the company had been in business at the listed location, but moved to a larger building two months ago. Al-Sane stated that his company serves as an agent for American companies supporting U.S. efforts primarily in Iraq. Al-Emdad was established in 1986 by Al-Sane and currently employs 20 people. The company has an estimated revenue of KD 1 million. Al-Emdad works primarily as a Kuwaiti agent/sponsor for American companies doing business in Kuwait, Iraq and along the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border. Al-Emdad is currently in the process of building a 120 kilometer wall along the border to fence off Kuwaiti oil fields. ¶2. (SBU) Al-Emdad government clients include the MoD, MoI, the National Guard and the Emiri Guard and serves as the agent/sponsor in Kuwait for AAV Technology, Southwest and Blackwater (until last year). Al-Sane showed Econoff a copy of Al-Emdad's USG Brokering Registration Code document. ¶3. (SBU) Al-Sane stated that he always has a GoK end-user certificate for his military tenders. Al-Sane said that Al-Emdad does not market U.S.-origin equipment outside of Kuwait and indicated that he is aware of U.S. Munitions List restrictions, including the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports. ¶4. (SBU) Post believes that Al-Emdad General Trade & Contracting Establishment is a reputable broker for USML items. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES