JORDAN BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES OF

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