RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BONA FIDES CASE NO. K-2682

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001069 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PM/DTCC- BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ETTC EIND EINT KU SUBJECT: RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BONA FIDES CASE NO. K-2682 REF: STATE 99553 ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel request, Econoff visited Al-Qatami Global General Trading & Contracting Company on November 8 and met with its director and partner, Ali Abdul-Aziz Al-Qatami, to substantiate the company's bona fides as a broker of USML items. Econoff confirmed that the company is in business at the listed location. Al-Qatami stated that his company serves as an agent/broker for American companies supporting U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Al-Qatami Global was established in 1985 by its owner, Abdul Aziz Al-Qatami, the father of Ali Al-Qatami. Al-Qatami Global employs 150 people and works primarily with Agility Company supplying large truck spare parts, ready mix concrete and deals in real estate and equipment in Iraq. Al-Qatami's estimated annual revenue is KD 5 million. ¶2. (U) Al-Qatami counts the MoD, MoI, the National Guard and the Amiri Guard as his government clients. He sponsors LDV, Force Protection, Pinnacle Armors, Robinson Helicopters and Laser Shot in Kuwait. Al-Qatami showed Econoff his company's USG Brokering Registration Code document. Econoff later confirmed Al-Qatami Global's registration with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ¶3. (U) Al-Qatami said that his company does not market U.S.-origin equipment outside of Kuwait, although he does have clients in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Al-Qatami indicated that he is aware of U.S. Munitions List restrictions, including the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports. Al-Qatami stated that his company occasionally stores demonstration bomb robots in a secure Shuweikh warehouse under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior. ¶4. (SBU) Post believes that Al-Qatami Global General Trading & Contracting Company is a reputable broker for U.S. technologies. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES