Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1468
2009-11-04 05:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
RIYADH RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #1468/01 3080541 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 040541Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1843
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001468
SIPDIS
PM/DTCC FOR RACHAEL-THERESE JOUBERT-LIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2019
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY
CASE NO. K-2371, BONA FIDES OF MAZEN K. AL-SOWAIGH
REF: SECSTATE 99589
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
-------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001468
SIPDIS
PM/DTCC FOR RACHAEL-THERESE JOUBERT-LIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2019
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY
CASE NO. K-2371, BONA FIDES OF MAZEN K. AL-SOWAIGH
REF: SECSTATE 99589
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
--------------
1. (C) Saudi Prerogative Company (SPC) is a small business
established in 2003 to represent foreign companies interested
in the defense and communications industries in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia. SPC is a privately held limited liability
corporation. Shareholders include His Royal Highness Prince
Abdul Rahman bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz. Many of Prince Abdul
Rahman's brothers occupy senior civil and military positions
in the Saudi government. We believe that he is very well
connected within Saudi civil society and government and while
his company is young, we believe that Prince Abdul Rahman's
position enables him and SPC to have a prominent role in the
field of defense acquisitions.
REFTEL QUESTIONS
--------------
2. (C) Confirm that this entity is in the business of
brokering defense articles and defense services at the
location(s) indicated under its legal name(s);
-- PolMilOff contacted company to arrange a site visit. Due
to the absence on travel of company principals, it was agreed
to schedule a visit after December 5.
Determine whether this entity is authorized to conduct such
activities in its home country, whether the entity has any
criminal or other derogatory background, and whether Post has
any information on its brokering or arms export
activities that may involve proscribed entities such as
countries under U.S. or international sanctions, or
designated state sponsors of terrorism;
-- Saudi Prerogative Company (SPC) is a registered business
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items on
behalf of its clients? If so, does it have secure
facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for
handling sensitive USML items?
-- SPC does not handle USML items. Typically all items are
shipped directly to the customer.
When was the company established and who are its principals?
How many employees?
-- SPC was established in March 2003. The principals are His
Royal Highness Prince Abdul Rahman bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud, Chairman, Sheikh Thamer Al Muhanna, Vice Chairman,
Mazen Al Sowaigh, President and CEO, Khaled Al Sowaigh, Board
Member. SPC employs 211 people.
-- The company has 46 direct-hire employees. SPC depends upon
its partner, Nesma, to provide engineering and field support
from their pool of 10,000 personnel. SPC has partners outside
the Kingdom such as L-3 Communications Corporation and Harris
Stratex Networks of the United States, Infosys Technologies
of India, Fujitsu Networks Systems of Japan, and
Hyundai-Rotem of South Korea, which it uses to provide
specialized expertise to staff it's programs inside the
Kingdom.
What is the nature of its business and what other types of
items does it handle?
-- SPC is involved in the fields of information technology,
communications, and homeland security.
What types of organizations are among its typical clients and
in what countries are they located?
-- SPC does business exclusively within the Kingdom. Clients
include the telecommunications industry (Mobily and Saudi
Telecom Company),the IT industry (American Express, Goldman
Sachs, and seven major banks: Al Hokair, Al Zamil Group, The
Capital Market Authority, the National Water Authority, among
others) the homeland security industry (government ministries
and agencies including the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal
Saudi Navy, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs).
Does the company understand the restrictions on USML items,
especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers
and re-exports?
-- Yes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE
UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL SERVICE
--------------
3. (U) USCS completed an International Company Profile on SPC
in December 2007 which will be forwarded to PM/DTCC via email.
SITE VISIT
--------------
4. (U) The SPC principals were unable to arrange a site visit
as they were traveling abroad from mid-October through the
end of November. A site visit will be arranged upon their
return to Riyadh in early December. Post will send a
follow-up cable after conducting the site visit.
ZIADEH
SIPDIS
PM/DTCC FOR RACHAEL-THERESE JOUBERT-LIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2019
TAGS: ETTC KOMC SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY
CASE NO. K-2371, BONA FIDES OF MAZEN K. AL-SOWAIGH
REF: SECSTATE 99589
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
--------------
1. (C) Saudi Prerogative Company (SPC) is a small business
established in 2003 to represent foreign companies interested
in the defense and communications industries in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia. SPC is a privately held limited liability
corporation. Shareholders include His Royal Highness Prince
Abdul Rahman bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz. Many of Prince Abdul
Rahman's brothers occupy senior civil and military positions
in the Saudi government. We believe that he is very well
connected within Saudi civil society and government and while
his company is young, we believe that Prince Abdul Rahman's
position enables him and SPC to have a prominent role in the
field of defense acquisitions.
REFTEL QUESTIONS
--------------
2. (C) Confirm that this entity is in the business of
brokering defense articles and defense services at the
location(s) indicated under its legal name(s);
-- PolMilOff contacted company to arrange a site visit. Due
to the absence on travel of company principals, it was agreed
to schedule a visit after December 5.
Determine whether this entity is authorized to conduct such
activities in its home country, whether the entity has any
criminal or other derogatory background, and whether Post has
any information on its brokering or arms export
activities that may involve proscribed entities such as
countries under U.S. or international sanctions, or
designated state sponsors of terrorism;
-- Saudi Prerogative Company (SPC) is a registered business
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Will the brokering firm be handling or storing USML items on
behalf of its clients? If so, does it have secure
facilities and proper accounting and security procedures for
handling sensitive USML items?
-- SPC does not handle USML items. Typically all items are
shipped directly to the customer.
When was the company established and who are its principals?
How many employees?
-- SPC was established in March 2003. The principals are His
Royal Highness Prince Abdul Rahman bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud, Chairman, Sheikh Thamer Al Muhanna, Vice Chairman,
Mazen Al Sowaigh, President and CEO, Khaled Al Sowaigh, Board
Member. SPC employs 211 people.
-- The company has 46 direct-hire employees. SPC depends upon
its partner, Nesma, to provide engineering and field support
from their pool of 10,000 personnel. SPC has partners outside
the Kingdom such as L-3 Communications Corporation and Harris
Stratex Networks of the United States, Infosys Technologies
of India, Fujitsu Networks Systems of Japan, and
Hyundai-Rotem of South Korea, which it uses to provide
specialized expertise to staff it's programs inside the
Kingdom.
What is the nature of its business and what other types of
items does it handle?
-- SPC is involved in the fields of information technology,
communications, and homeland security.
What types of organizations are among its typical clients and
in what countries are they located?
-- SPC does business exclusively within the Kingdom. Clients
include the telecommunications industry (Mobily and Saudi
Telecom Company),the IT industry (American Express, Goldman
Sachs, and seven major banks: Al Hokair, Al Zamil Group, The
Capital Market Authority, the National Water Authority, among
others) the homeland security industry (government ministries
and agencies including the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal
Saudi Navy, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs).
Does the company understand the restrictions on USML items,
especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfers
and re-exports?
-- Yes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE
UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL SERVICE
--------------
3. (U) USCS completed an International Company Profile on SPC
in December 2007 which will be forwarded to PM/DTCC via email.
SITE VISIT
--------------
4. (U) The SPC principals were unable to arrange a site visit
as they were traveling abroad from mid-October through the
end of November. A site visit will be arranged upon their
return to Riyadh in early December. Post will send a
follow-up cable after conducting the site visit.
ZIADEH