Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10AMMAN204
2010-01-20 09:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #0204/01 0200909 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 200909Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6720
UNCLAS AMMAN 000204
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF
REGISTERED BROKER BASSAM A.R. PHARAON (CASE NUMBER K-1225)
REF: A. A) WILSON-JOUBERT-LIN EMAIL NOV 09
B. B) 09 STATE 99520
UNCLAS AMMAN 000204
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF
REGISTERED BROKER BASSAM A.R. PHARAON (CASE NUMBER K-1225)
REF: A. A) WILSON-JOUBERT-LIN EMAIL NOV 09
B. B) 09 STATE 99520
1. (SBU) Economic Section and Foreign Commercial Service
(FCS) LESs conducted initial/preliminary database searches
on this firm through Government of Jordan (GoJ) Ministry of
Trade and Investment (MoTI) on-line records and noted that
Research and Consulting Services, Ltd (RCS) operates as a
consultant for aircraft spares, communications equipment,
electronics, avionics, aircraft overhaul and maintenance,
training systems, heavy transporters and leases, and is a
representative of foreign contractors who wish to conduct
business in Jordan. They advertise that they provide local
support and after-sale services. RCS was established in 1986
with partners Bassam Pharaon and Muhannad Khalifeh. In 2003
the firm reorganized with new joint managing directors,
Bassam Pharaon and his wife, Dina Abdul Kader Tash. RCS has
provided contracting and consulting services for a number of
U.S. firms dealing with GoJ military and security
organizations.
2. (SBU) Blue Lantern Officer, accompanied by LES assistant,
visited the offices of RCS on December 8, 2009 and met with
Mr. Mansour Tabaa, who identified himself as the uncle of CEO
Bassam Pharaon, and said that Pharaon actually had
a newer office nearby. On December 15, Blue lantern Officer
and LES returned and met with Pharaon at a different address
in a newer building than the location of our previous visit.
He identified himself as the President, CEO,
and founder of RCS.
3. (SBU) Allegedly a dual national with citizenship in both
Jordan and Syria, Pharaon reported he has been in
business since 1986 providing consultations, logistics, and
training services to the Jordanian Armed Forces, particularly
the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Pharaon said he has
represented many U.S. companies including Sikorsky,
L3 Communications (www.l-3com.com),and Oshkosh Corporations,
noting he had several ongoing contracts and delivery
operations he was currently engaged in. He noted his company
was registered not only with the Department of State
as a broker, but was "TRACE certified (Trade Reporting and
Compliance Engine (TRACE),
http://www.finra.org/Industry/Compliance/Mark etTransparency/
TRACE/).
4. (SBU) Pharaon described a direct relationship with Prince
Faisal, the King's brother, and former commander of the Royal
Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) and noted he was related by
marriage to the late General Tahseen Shurdoum, former chief
of the Public Security Directorate (i.e. the national police
force). Pharaon also reported he has worked on several
projects for/with the King Abdullah II Design and Development
Bureau (KADDB),an organization tasked with development of
military technology under the direct supervision of the King.
5. (SBU) Pharaoh made no reference to his Syrian citizenship,
but without prompting he volunteered that he had no business
contracts with Syria, Lebanon, or Iraq, and prefers to deal
exclusively with the Government of Jordan.
6. (SBU) Pharaon and his company are well-known to Post's
Commercial Section, and to military officers in our Defense
Attache and Military Assistance Program Offices. They report
no derogatory information. Economic Section LES reports that
Pharaon is highly regarded in Amman business circles, and
long-standing associations with top GoJ officials are common
knowledge.
7. (SBU) Conclusion. Based on initial impressions the owner
appears established and well-connected within the upper
levels of the GoJ. His company appears to be how he
represents it, and legitimately involved in the business he
reports to be engaged in.
8. (U) Corrected address/contact information for this firm
is:
- BASSAM A.R. PHARAON, PRESIDENT and CEO
- RESEARCH & CONSULTING SERVICES CO. LTD
- OFFICE 302, AL-HUSSEINI CENTER II BLDG
- P.O. BOX 5013
- 55/57 ABDALLAH GHOUSHEH STREET
- AMMAN
- JORDAN 11183
- TEL: 962-6-581-3800
- FAX: 962-6-585-5925
- CELL: 962-79-552-1241
- EMAIL: RCS(AT)NETS.COM.JO
- Alternate Office Address:
- ZAHRAN PLAZA BLDG, OFFICE 505, P.O. BOX 5013
- 7TH CIRCLE AND AIRPORT ROAD
- AMMAN
- JORDAN 11183
- TEL: 962-6-581-3800 (Same as above)
- FAX: 962-6-560-3420
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://diplopedia.state.sgov.gov/index.php?ti tle=Embassy Amman
Beecroft
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF
REGISTERED BROKER BASSAM A.R. PHARAON (CASE NUMBER K-1225)
REF: A. A) WILSON-JOUBERT-LIN EMAIL NOV 09
B. B) 09 STATE 99520
1. (SBU) Economic Section and Foreign Commercial Service
(FCS) LESs conducted initial/preliminary database searches
on this firm through Government of Jordan (GoJ) Ministry of
Trade and Investment (MoTI) on-line records and noted that
Research and Consulting Services, Ltd (RCS) operates as a
consultant for aircraft spares, communications equipment,
electronics, avionics, aircraft overhaul and maintenance,
training systems, heavy transporters and leases, and is a
representative of foreign contractors who wish to conduct
business in Jordan. They advertise that they provide local
support and after-sale services. RCS was established in 1986
with partners Bassam Pharaon and Muhannad Khalifeh. In 2003
the firm reorganized with new joint managing directors,
Bassam Pharaon and his wife, Dina Abdul Kader Tash. RCS has
provided contracting and consulting services for a number of
U.S. firms dealing with GoJ military and security
organizations.
2. (SBU) Blue Lantern Officer, accompanied by LES assistant,
visited the offices of RCS on December 8, 2009 and met with
Mr. Mansour Tabaa, who identified himself as the uncle of CEO
Bassam Pharaon, and said that Pharaon actually had
a newer office nearby. On December 15, Blue lantern Officer
and LES returned and met with Pharaon at a different address
in a newer building than the location of our previous visit.
He identified himself as the President, CEO,
and founder of RCS.
3. (SBU) Allegedly a dual national with citizenship in both
Jordan and Syria, Pharaon reported he has been in
business since 1986 providing consultations, logistics, and
training services to the Jordanian Armed Forces, particularly
the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Pharaon said he has
represented many U.S. companies including Sikorsky,
L3 Communications (www.l-3com.com),and Oshkosh Corporations,
noting he had several ongoing contracts and delivery
operations he was currently engaged in. He noted his company
was registered not only with the Department of State
as a broker, but was "TRACE certified (Trade Reporting and
Compliance Engine (TRACE),
http://www.finra.org/Industry/Compliance/Mark etTransparency/
TRACE/).
4. (SBU) Pharaon described a direct relationship with Prince
Faisal, the King's brother, and former commander of the Royal
Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) and noted he was related by
marriage to the late General Tahseen Shurdoum, former chief
of the Public Security Directorate (i.e. the national police
force). Pharaon also reported he has worked on several
projects for/with the King Abdullah II Design and Development
Bureau (KADDB),an organization tasked with development of
military technology under the direct supervision of the King.
5. (SBU) Pharaoh made no reference to his Syrian citizenship,
but without prompting he volunteered that he had no business
contracts with Syria, Lebanon, or Iraq, and prefers to deal
exclusively with the Government of Jordan.
6. (SBU) Pharaon and his company are well-known to Post's
Commercial Section, and to military officers in our Defense
Attache and Military Assistance Program Offices. They report
no derogatory information. Economic Section LES reports that
Pharaon is highly regarded in Amman business circles, and
long-standing associations with top GoJ officials are common
knowledge.
7. (SBU) Conclusion. Based on initial impressions the owner
appears established and well-connected within the upper
levels of the GoJ. His company appears to be how he
represents it, and legitimately involved in the business he
reports to be engaged in.
8. (U) Corrected address/contact information for this firm
is:
- BASSAM A.R. PHARAON, PRESIDENT and CEO
- RESEARCH & CONSULTING SERVICES CO. LTD
- OFFICE 302, AL-HUSSEINI CENTER II BLDG
- P.O. BOX 5013
- 55/57 ABDALLAH GHOUSHEH STREET
- AMMAN
- JORDAN 11183
- TEL: 962-6-581-3800
- FAX: 962-6-585-5925
- CELL: 962-79-552-1241
- EMAIL: RCS(AT)NETS.COM.JO
- Alternate Office Address:
- ZAHRAN PLAZA BLDG, OFFICE 505, P.O. BOX 5013
- 7TH CIRCLE AND AIRPORT ROAD
- AMMAN
- JORDAN 11183
- TEL: 962-6-581-3800 (Same as above)
- FAX: 962-6-560-3420
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://diplopedia.state.sgov.gov/index.php?ti tle=Embassy Amman
Beecroft