Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:58 PM • o . . . OMB No. 1124-0006; Expires April 30,2017 u.s. Department of Justice Washington, DC 20530 Exhibit A to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1038, as amended INSTRUCTIONS. Furnish this exhibit for EACH foreign principal listed in an initial statement and for EACH additional foreign principal acquired subsequently. The filing ofthis document requires the payment of a filing fee as set forth in Rule (d)(1), 28 C.F.R. § 5;5(d)(1). Compliance is accomplished by filing an electronic Exhibit A form at http:'//www. fara.gov. Privacy Act Statement. The filing of this document is required by the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended. 22 U.S.C. § 611 etseq., for the purposes of registration under the Act and public disclosure: Provision of the information requested is mandatory, and failure to provide this information is subject to the penalty and enforcement provisions established in Section 8 of the Act. Every registration statement, short form registration statement, supplemental statement, exhibit, amendment, copy of informational materials or other document or information filed with the Attorney General under this Act is a public record open to public examination, inspection and copying during the posted business hours of the Registration Unit in Washington, DC. Statements are also available online at the Registration Unit's webpage: hftp ;//www.fara.gov. One copy of every such document, other than informational materials, is automatically provided to the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act, and copies of any and all documents areroutinelymade available to other agencies, departments and Congress pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Act The Attorney General also transmits a semi-annual report to Congress on the administration of the Act which lists the names of all agents registered under the Act and the foreign principals theyrepresentThis report is available to die public in print and online at:Vttp;//ww.fara..gpy. Public Reporting Burden. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .49 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of mis collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Chief, . Registration Unit, Counterespionage Section, National Security Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget Washington, DC 20503. 2. Registration No. 1. Name and Address of Registrant Alston & Bird LLP 5549 3. Name of Foreign Principal Mer Security and Communication Systems, Ltd. 4. Principal Address of Foreign Principal 5 Hatzoref St. Holon 5885633 ISRAEL 5. Indicate whether your foreign pnncipal is one of the following: 1 Q Government of a foreign country • Foreign political party IEI Foreign or domestic organization: If either, check one of the following: • • Partnership • Committee EJ Corporation • Voluntary group • • Other (specify) Association Individual-State nationality 6. If the foreign principal is a" foreign government, state: a) Branch or agency represented by the registrant b) Name and title of official with whom registrant deals 7. If the foreign principal is a foreign political party, state: a) Principal address b) Name and title of official with whom registrant deals c) Principal aim 1 "Goyemmem of aforeigncountry," as defined in Section 1(e) of the Act, includes any person or group of persons exer&singlovereign de facto' oFdfjurepolitical jurisdiction over any country, other than the United Stales, or over arty part of such country, and includes any subdivision of any such group and any group or agency to which such sovereign de facto or dc jure authority or functions are directly or indirecdy delegated. Such term shall include any faction or body of insurgents within a country assuming to exercise governmental authority whether such faction or body of insurgents has or has not been recognized by the United States. FORM NSD-3 Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:58 PM Revised./i4 03 Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:58 PM 8. If the foreign principal is not a foreign government or a foreign political party: a) State the nature ofthe business or activity of this foreign principal. Strategic Communications and Consulting Services b) Is this foreign principal: Supervisjed by a foreign government, foreign political pai^, or other.fo Yes 0 No • Owned by a foreign government, foreijgn political parry, or other foreign principal Yes • Directed by a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal Yes 0 No D Controlled by a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal Yes • Financed by a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal Yes E No • Subsidized in part by a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal Yes El No • No 13 No (x 9. Explain fully all items answered "Yes" in Item 8(b). (If additional space is needed, a fill insert page must be used.) Mer Security and Communication Systems has been retained by the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo to provide Strategic Communications and Consulting Services 10. If the foreign principal is an organization and is not owned or controlled by a foreign government, foreign political party or other foreign principal, state who owns and controls it. Mer Security and Communication Systems is a subsidiary of Mer Group, which is a holding company publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Its directors are Haim Mer, Itzhak Ben Bassat, Marian Cohen, and Nir Lempert. EXECUTION In accordance with28 U.S.C. § 1746, the undersigned swears or affirms under penalty of perjury thathe/she has read the information set forth in this Exhibit A to the registration statement and that he/she is familiar with the contents thereof arid that such contents are in their entirety true and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. pate of Exhibit A Name and Title Signature May 10,2017 Isl Adam Biegel Adam Biegel, Partner Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:58 PM eSigned Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48 PM OMB No. 1124-0004; Expires April 30, 2017 u.s. Department of justice Washington, DC 20530 Exhibit B to. Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended EaggggauMmmfliHiiriii'im ' i v ^ a — • y ^ a s s a a a a s ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ = = = = = INSTRUCTIONS. A registrant must furnish as an Exhibit B copies of each written agreement and the terms and conditions of each oral agreement with his foreign principal, including all modifications of such agreements, or, where no contract exists, a foil statement of all the circumstances by reason of which the registrant is acting as an agent of a foreign principal. Compliance is accomplished by filing an electronic Exhibit B form at http://www.fara.gov. Privacy Act Statement. Thefilingofthis document is required for the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. § 611 etseq., for the purposes of registration under the Act and public disclosure. Provision of the information requested is mandatory, and failure to provide the information is subject to the penalty and enforcement proviso in Section 8 ofthe Act Every registration statement short form registration statement, supplemental statement exhibit amendment copy of informational materials or other document or information filed with the Attorney General under this Act is a public record open to public examination, inspection and copying during the posted business hours of the Registration Unit in Washington, DC. Statements are also available online at the Registration Unit's webpage": http://www,fflra,gPV- One copy of every such document, other than informational materials, is automatically provided to the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 6(b) ofthe Act, and copies of any and all documents are routinely made available to other agencies, departments and Congress pursuant to Section 6(c) ofthe Act. The Attorney General also transmits a semi-annual report to Congress oh the administration of the Act which lists the names of all agents registered under the Act and the foreign principals they represent. This report is availabletothe public in print and online at: http://www.fara.gov. Public Reporting Burden. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .33 hours per response, including thc time for reviewing insuiictions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect ofthis collection of information, mcluding suggestions for reducing this burden to Chief, Registration Unit Counterespionage Section, National Security Division, U.S. Department of Justice,Washington, DC 20530; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. 1. Name of Registrant Alston & Bird LLP 2. Registration No. 5549 3. Name of Foreign Principal Mer Security and Communication Systems, Ltd. Check Appropriate Box: 4. H The agreement between the registrant and the above-named foreign principal is a formal written contract. If this box is checked, attach a copy of the contract to this exhibit. 5. • There is no formal written contract between the registrant and the foreign principal, the agreement with the above-named foreign principal has resulted from an exchange of correspondence. If this box is checked, attach a copy of all pertinent correspondence, including a copy of any initial proposal which has been adopted by reference in such correspondence. 6. • The agreement or understanding between the registrant and the foreign principal is the result of neither a formal written contract nor an exchange of correspondence between the parties. If this box is checked, give a complete description below of the terms and conditions of the oral agreement or understanding, its duration, the fees and expenses, if any, to be received. 7. Describe fully the nature and method of performance ofthe above indicated agreement or understanding. See attached engagement letter FORM NSD-4 Revised 03/14 Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48 PM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48 PM 8. Describe fully the activities the registrant engages in or proposes to engage in on behalf of the above foreign principal. Registrant will advise Mer Security and Communication Systems on strategic communications, policy issues, and compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act related to Mer's exploratory work on the potential for intemationalsupport of free and fair national elections and reforms to improve protections of human rights in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo. Specific tasks will include: Advising Mer on policy issues regarding the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy from the DROC to the United States and strategic planning related to the enovy's engagement in bilateral diplomacy with the United States; Advising Mer on U.S. policy and political concerns regarding African security issues; and. Providing legal counsel .to Mer and its affiliates regarding legal compliance under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. 9. Will the activities on behalf of "the above foreign principal the footnote below? Yes H No Q activities as defined in Section l(o) ofthe Act and in Ifyes, describe all such political activities indicating, among other things,ttierelations, interests or policies to be influenced together with the means to be employed to achieve this purpose. See response to abovequestion EXECUTION In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, the undersigned swears or affirms under penalty of perjury that he/she has read the information set forth in this Exhibit B tothe registration statement and that he/she is familiar with the contents thereof and that such contents are in their entirety true and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. Date of Exhibit B May 10,2017 Name and Title Adam Biegel Signature HI Adam Biegel eSigned Footnote: "Political activity," as defined in Section 1(o) ofthe Act, means any activity, which the person engaging in believes will, or that the person intends to, in any way influence any agency or official of the Government of the United States or any section of the public within the United States with reference to formulating, adopting, or changing the domestic or foreign policies ofthe United States or with reference to thc political or public interests, policies, orrelationsof a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party. Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48PM Rtee^k b y N ^ SCnatW 05/1.0/2017 4:18:48 PM April 19.2017 PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL VIA EMAIL Mr, Omer Laviv General Manager Mer Security and Communications Systems, Ltd. 5 Hatzoref St. Holon 5885633 ISRAEL Re: Advisory Services Engagement Dear Mr. Laviv: We are pleased to engage with Mer Security and Communications Systems Ltd (Mer Security) to provide legal and advisory services lo you m support of S ^ S coluLtions project for the G o v e r n ^ h e Democrat, Republic of the Congo. The purpose of this letter ,s to confirm theuxms^of our engagement. We will advise Mer Security on strategic commumcations, policy issues, and lobbying/foreign agent registration requirements related to your exploratory work on • the potentialI for international support offreeand fair national elections and reforms to improve protections of human rights in thc Democratic Republic ofthe Congo by the end of this year. 1 will be the attorney ultimately responsible to Mer Security, although wc '• will have attorneys and other professionals assisting with this matter. ; i I; j The attorney-client privilege, to the extent it may apply to certain ;! cornmunications related to this engagement, is an important subject that we raise with our \\ clients at the outset of any new representation. As a matter of professional responsibility, I we arerequiredto preserve the confidences of our clients. This professional obligation £ and the legal privilege accorded attorney-client communication exist to encourage candid i and complete corruriunication between client and attorney, The attorney-client privilege ' can be lost if our written pr oral communications arc shared inappropriately with others, ^ including, under certain circumstances, other employees or representatives of the :'> Government ofthe Democratic Republic ofthe Congo. We should, therefore, discuss in fj advance any int^tion of youis include others in our confidential relationship. . . . . Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48PM April 19.2017 Page 2 During thc course of this engagement, Alston & Bird LLP uufcrvourccoS Sepcndcm professional judgment. We note that any,pohcy « ^ ^ S S S ^ ^ is noVlikely to be subject to attorney-client privilege that may m certain circumstances established between Alston & Bird LLP and Mer Security. As in any professional relationship where mutual trust and confidence arc essential, it is appropriate for Mer Security or Alston & Bird to be engagement at any time by reasonable written notice. If our engagement is ^rrmnatcd weunderstand that Mer Security will take whatever steps are necessary to evidence mat wc arc free from any obligation to perform further services, and to pay us for any unpaid fees for services rendered and charges for related expenses and services rendered to the date of termination. For clients who arc not regular, general clients of the firm, but wno hire us as special counsel for a limited engagement, a condition of our acceptance ofthe engagement is an agreement that our acceptance ofthe limited engagement shall not preclude ourfirmfrom representing other clients in the future who may have adverse interests with respect to matters unrelated to thc limited engagement. We consider our advisory work for Mer Security to fall into this category. Scope of Work, Service and Fees Subject to the conditions listed below, our team at Alston & Bird LLP will advise Mer Security on strategic communications, policy issues, and compliance with thc Lobbying Disclosure Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act related to Mer Security's extorts to securing free and fair elections in thc Democratic Republic ofthe Congo by the end of 2017. Our advice and communications will be conducted through consultation with designated representatives of Mer Security, and in appropriate additional consultation with other outside advisors you have engaged or wc understand will engage,. The terms of our engagement do not include or anticipate our representation of, or advocacy for, the Government ofthe Democratic Republic ofthe Congo before thc United States Government. It is our understanding that the terms of this engagement require our rem'stration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. !: ' I < j 1 ;i .« Our fees for these services are $500,000 for a three month period n wrmnOTdngon jj- h ...nw!^ that the parties have agreed in advance upon & . "v • I ^ c ^ the following three-month [ [ . 1 ^ ° ^ this engagement to ; Received by. NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48 PM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/1.0/2017 4:18:48 PM April 19.2017 Page 3 During the initial three-month project, Alston & Bird will undertake thc following tasks: • Advise Mer Security on policy issues regarding the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy from the DROC to the United States and strategic planning related to the envoy's engagement in bilateral diplomacy with the United States; • Advise Mer Security on US. policy and political concerns regarding African security issues; and, • Provide legal counsel to Mer Security and its affiliates regarding legal compliance as required under thc Foreign Agents Registration Act. Either party may terminate this engagement at any time. Fees will be paid prior to thc commencement of each three month period, exclusive of related aajninistrative expenses, which shall be billed on a monthly basis. If the terms ofthis letter arc acceptable, I would appreciate your signing the enclosed copy and returning it to me. Of course, we would be glad to discuss any of the arrangements described in the letter with you. Sincerely, Senator Robert J. Dole Alston & Bird, LLP >r MerSecunty^^ Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48PM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48 PM April 19,2017 Page 4 Date: Omer Laviv General M MerS d Communications Systems, Ltd. •1 if . >X • i' i h ... - 1 •* f Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 05/10/2017 4:18:48 PM