Cablegate: Blue Lantern: Verifying Bona Fides for Broker Said

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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #2252 3411049
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY-ADE7DA60-MSI4178-413)
O 071049Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4394
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS CAIRO 002252

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS EG
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN: VERIFYING BONA FIDES FOR BROKER SAID
ABDEL HAMID GALAL - CASE NO. K-1502

REF: STATE 99500

1. (SBU) In response to reftel request, Pol Off met with
registered broker Said Abdel Hamid Galal at the offices of
ASTC Matrix International for Import and Export. Galal
confirmed that he was authorized by the Egyptian Ministry of
Defense to conduct brokering activities in Egypt. The firm
only provides consulting services, so the firm does not
physically handle or store any items on the United States
Munitions List (USML). The company was established in 1997.
Galal has one partner, Moustafa Arafa, and employs four other
people. Galal said his only customers are Egyptian military
and intelligence organizations. Galal confirmed that he was
familiar with restrictions on USML items, including the
unauthorized re-transfer and re-export of items. He is a
retired military officer.

2. (SBU) Galal explained that his company provided
consulting services on electronic warfare and electronic
recording equipment. Specific projects include consulting on
recording equipment for the Ministry of Interior's
anti-bribery division and electronic intelligence systems for
the Navy.
Tueller

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