Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUWAIT1175
2009-12-16 10:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY CASE NO.
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKU #1175 3501021 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161021Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4319
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001175
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PM/DTCC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ETTC EIND EINT KU
SUBJECT: RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY CASE NO.
K-2167
REF: STATE 99547
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001175
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PM/DTCC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ETTC EIND EINT KU
SUBJECT: RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY CASE NO.
K-2167
REF: STATE 99547
1. (SBU) Per reftel request, Econoff visited the Gulf Group
Holding Company on December 14 and met with its CEO Mahmoud
Al-Haj to substantiate the company's bona fides as a broker
of USML items. Econoff confirmed that the company was in
business at the listed location. Al-Haj stated that his
company serves as an agent for American companies supporting
U.S. efforts in Iraq. Gulf Group Holding Company was
established in 1985 as a family owned business by Fouad
Al-Fawzan and his sons Fareed and Mishad. Al-Haj would not
specify the company's revenue but he did state that the
company employs 250 people in Kuwait. Gulf Group Holding
Company also has satellite firms in the U.S., the U.A.E.,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq. The company works primarily as
a Kuwaiti agent/sponsor for American companies doing business
in Kuwait and Iraq.
2. (SBU) Gulf Group Holding Company's government clients
include the MoD, MoI, the National Guard and the Amiri Guard
and serves as the agent/sponsor in Kuwait for Flir Systems, a
thermal imaging company. Econoff later confirmed Gulf Group
Holding Company's registration with the Kuwait Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
3. (SBU) Al-Haj stated that he always has a GoK end-user
certificate for his military tenders. Al-Haj told Econoff
that Gulf Group Holding Company does not market U.S.-origin
equipment outside of Kuwait, although his company has clients
outside of Kuwait. He 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 Gulf Group Holding Company 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
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PM/DTCC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ETTC EIND EINT KU
SUBJECT: RESPONSE, BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY CASE NO.
K-2167
REF: STATE 99547
1. (SBU) Per reftel request, Econoff visited the Gulf Group
Holding Company on December 14 and met with its CEO Mahmoud
Al-Haj to substantiate the company's bona fides as a broker
of USML items. Econoff confirmed that the company was in
business at the listed location. Al-Haj stated that his
company serves as an agent for American companies supporting
U.S. efforts in Iraq. Gulf Group Holding Company was
established in 1985 as a family owned business by Fouad
Al-Fawzan and his sons Fareed and Mishad. Al-Haj would not
specify the company's revenue but he did state that the
company employs 250 people in Kuwait. Gulf Group Holding
Company also has satellite firms in the U.S., the U.A.E.,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq. The company works primarily as
a Kuwaiti agent/sponsor for American companies doing business
in Kuwait and Iraq.
2. (SBU) Gulf Group Holding Company's government clients
include the MoD, MoI, the National Guard and the Amiri Guard
and serves as the agent/sponsor in Kuwait for Flir Systems, a
thermal imaging company. Econoff later confirmed Gulf Group
Holding Company's registration with the Kuwait Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
3. (SBU) Al-Haj stated that he always has a GoK end-user
certificate for his military tenders. Al-Haj told Econoff
that Gulf Group Holding Company does not market U.S.-origin
equipment outside of Kuwait, although his company has clients
outside of Kuwait. He 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 Gulf Group Holding Company 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