VZCZCXYZ0005
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 
 
¶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