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Gabon

Tracking Bongo: How Epstein Used Karim Wade to Find a Head of State

On June 24, 2012, Epstein asked Karim Wade to check whether Gabon's president Ali Bongo was coming to Paris. A week later Epstein told Sultan: Bongo was 'here with me.' Sultan got to Libreville eleven months later and reported back.

On June 24, 2012, Epstein sent a short message to Karim Wade: "I understand that ali bongo might be coming to paris. , would be easier to talk" (vol00009-efta00938513-pdf-0).

Wade replied the next day: "Will check and get back to u" (EFTA01877919-0). A week passed. Then, on July 1, Epstein wrote to Sultan Bin Sulayem: "where are you? i understand that Ali bongo is in paris , here with me" (EFTA01881400-0).

Epstein wanted Sultan there too. "Can you come to island?" he asked the same evening (EFTA01876881-0). Sultan was in London, heading to LA on the 4th, New York on the 15th. He replied the next day: "I will try but my family is with me" (EFTA01877914-0). He didn't make it.

Eleven months later Sultan was in Libreville. His May 2013 Africa trip report told Epstein he had "met my friend Ali Bongo and spoke extensively about my keen interest in Gabon and promised to visit him with you" (EFTA01759560-0).

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