Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10DUBAI15
2010-02-08 11:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Dubai
Cable title:  

Blue Lantern: Pre-License Check on Licenses 050209916 and

Tags:  ETTC KOMC AE 
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VZCZCXYZ0016
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDE #0015 0391101
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (TAO)
R 081101Z FEB 10
FM AMCONSUL DUBAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0058
INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0003
UNCLAS DUBAI 000015 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC AE
SUBJECT: Blue Lantern: Pre-License Check on Licenses 050209916 and
050209922 (Claremont Aviation)

REF: STATE 6241

UNCLAS DUBAI 000015

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC AE
SUBJECT: Blue Lantern: Pre-License Check on Licenses 050209916 and
050209922 (Claremont Aviation)

REF: STATE 6241


1. (SBU) Poloff conducted a Blue Lantern pre-license end-use check
with with Claremont Aviation CEO Mahmood Rattansi and Claremont
Aviation Vice President Manny Gamboa on January 27 as requested in
reftel. Claremont Aviation was previously "Claremont Real Estate."
Rattansi changed the name of the company to "Claremont Aviation"
fourth quarter 2009 when he decided to change his business because
the real estate market was not profitable. Poloff observed that
the office sign is still "Claremont Real Estate."




2. (U) Rattansi hired Gamboa to handle the operational side of the
business as he is an experienced supplier of spare parts and ground
support equipment for commercial and military aviation. Rattansi
handles the finances of the business. Currently, there are five
employees. Claremont Aviation does not have a warehouse because it
does not yet have the proper license from the UAE General Civil
Aviation Authority (GCAA). Without this license, Claremont can
only function as a broker and cannot do business within the UAE
where equipment is being stored or moving in, out, and within the
country.




3. (U) Ninety-five percent of Claremont's suppliers are from the
U.S. Claremont only deals with suppliers with Federal Aviation
Authority (FAA) accreditation. Its main customers are in Saudi
Arabia and soon the UAE and Jordan. All items are sent directly
from the manufacturer to the client via Federal Express. The
customer notifies Claremont by e-mail upon receipt of the equipment
and Gamboa prepares the invoice for payment. Gamboa tracks the
product on FedEx's website.




4. (SBU) Gamboa explained to Poloff that the equipment for the
Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is received by Al Salam, a
maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company. Al Salaam is
contracted by the RSAF. The MRO receives the parts on behalf of
RSAF and installs them on the specified RSAF aircraft indicated
during time of the order. Claremont Aviation deals with the MRO
and not the RSAF. Poloff received a copy of the purchase order for
Al Salam Aircraft Company.




5. (SBU) Claremont was unable to provide a purchase order for the
UAE Air Force because Claremont has not received any orders from
Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, a MRO, because Claremont needs its
GCAA license. Rattani explained to Poloff that Claremont Aviation
applied early for the license while waiting for its GCAA license.
He submitted a letter of intent to supply to the UAE Air Force for
the next four years and hopes to start working with them upon
receiving their GCAA license.




6. (SBU) Given Claremont's statement that it has no current
contract with the UAE Armed Forces, the Mission could not confirm
the latter's intent to purchase U.S. equipment from Claremont.



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