VZCZCXRO7407
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUEHTRO #0887 3071444
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 031444Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5446
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 5995
C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000887
SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG; STATE FOR PM/DTCC E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/3/2019
TAGS: ETTC KOMC LY
CLASSIFIED BY: Joan Polaschik, DCM, U.S. Embassy Tripoli, U.S. Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)
1. (C) Post met with Abdurouf Bakir, Chairman and Owner of Al-Masar Stock Company for Selling Aircraft Equipment on
October 25, 2009. Below are the answers to questions posed in reftel: --This entity is in the business of brokering
defense articles and defense services at the location indicated under its legal name. --This entity is authorized to
conduct such activities in Libya. Post does not have any criminal or derogatory background information on this entity or
individual. --Al-Masar Stock Company will not be handling or storing United States Munitions List (USML) items on behalf
of its clients. The client handles its incoming shipments and takes care of all shipping formalities and storage of
goods. --Al-Masar Stock Company was established in August 2007. It has 10 principal share-holders, of whom four are
employees running the company: Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Commercial Manager, and Title Member of the Board
Share-holder. --Al-Masar deals in the Aviation sector, procuring for civilian airlines, and also for the Libyan military
(Air Force). Clients include the Libyan government as well as private companies. Bakir estimates 30 to 40 percent of
their business is with the Libyan Air Force, working through the Military Procurement Office. All clients are located in
Libya and are Libyan. Al-Masar represents several companies in Europe as well as in the U.S. (Rockwell Collins, based in
Cedar Rapids, IA, and DIRCO (Milwaukee, WI). --The company understands the restrictions on USML items.
2. (C) Comment: Bakir appears to be a competent broker, with relevant prior experience as an engineer in the Aviation
industry. He noted his company is a member of TRACE, International (an organization that promotes transparency and good
governance in business), and is the only member of this organization in Libya. Emboff had the impression he works mainly
as a consultant as his company has no real physical office. Bakir works out of his residence. End comment. CRETZ