Cablegate: Netherlands/Blue Lantern Check On Application

VZCZCXRO9602
RR RUEHAT
DE RUEHTC #0368/01 1191212
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281212Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1393
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0219
RUEHAT/AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM 3958
RHMFIUU/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFIUU/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000368

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTCC (BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR/JSTITZIEL)
STATE ALSO FOR EUR/WE (TSMITH)
USDOC FOR 532/OEA
USDOC FOR 3133/USFCS/OIO/JBREIDENSTINE/PBUCHER
USDOC FOR 4212/USFCS/MAC/EUR/OWE/DCALVERT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC NL JO
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON APPLICATION
050092988

REF: STATE 32414

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Emboffs conducted a site visit per reftel
of Applied Research Laboratory Europe BV (ARLE) on April 18.
Although a sole proprietorship, ARLE appears to be a bona
fide intermediary. ARLE stores items in a safe drilled into
the concrete floor of a garage which is connected to a house
alarm network. However, ARLE does not intend to take
physical possession of the night sights referenced in
application 050092988. These, and any other sensitive items
ARLE brokers, are shipped directly from the U.S. manufacturer
to the end-user. END SUMMARY.

--------------------------------------------- ---
Background on Applied Research Laboratory Europe
--------------------------------------------- ---

2. (SBU) Emboffs met April 18 with Ron Smeele of ARLE at his
home, which also serves as ARLE's office. Smeele is sole
propietor of ARLE, which he established in 2004. Prior to
that, he served four years in the Korps Mariniers (Dutch
marine corps) and seventeen years with the Dutch police
Arrest Team (SWAT equivalent) in The Hague, including as an
academy trainer. In 2004, ARLE initially was contracted to
provide "close protection" services to the Dutch Ambassador
in Baghdad. Returning to the Netherlands, Smeele recognized
a business opportunity because, he said, Dutch security
forces lack cutting edge procurement knowledge about
equipment and methods. Using his understanding of Dutch
forces' mission needs and his extensive contacts with U.S.
equipment manufacturers, Smeele acts as an independent
consultant and broker for tactical training and equipment.
For example, Smeele said that he had recently taken a Dutch
anti-terrorist unit to the U.S. to learn from the Los Angeles
Police Department's experience in preparing for a chemical,
biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attack.

-----------------------------
Relationship with Major Ghazi
-----------------------------

3. (SBU) Smeele said that he first met Major Ghazi (whom he
referred to as Jordanian King Abdullah II's nephew) at a
major equipment trade show in the U.S. Ghazi was looking for
lots of equipment, according to Smeele, but had not had much
luck procuring directly from U.S. companies. Over a period
of a couple years, including a visit to Ghazi's unit in
Jordan, Smeele established a business relationship of trust
with him. Ghazi now orders equipment from ARLE, which
sources products from U.S. manufacturers. Ghazi represents
ARLE's first customer outside of the Netherlands. Smeele
said that Ghazi typically buys two units of a product and
tests them in Jordan, with Smeele's on-site training, before
making a large order.

4. (SBU) Smeele said that Ghazi has not taken delivery of any
night vision scopes listed in application 050092988. He
explained that the 250 quantity on the DSP-83 was intended to
cover orders over a multi-year period. He said that ARLE
does not intend to take physical possession of any equipment
that includes thermal or laser technology. Instead, ARLE has
the equipment shipped directly from the U.S. manufacturer to
the end-user; he said this was a safer and cheaper method.
Smeele said that ARLE did have approximately 70 "monoscopes"
stored on premises, awaiting Dutch government approval to
export them to Jordan. (Note: Smeele subsequently informed
Emboffs that the Dutch approved this license. End note.) He
showed Emboffs how he stores these items -- a Smith and
Wesson safe drilled into the concrete floor of the garage.
Emboffs noted the glass panels in the doors leading to the
garage. Smeele said the garage was connected to the house
alarm system, which alerts a local response force in the
event the alarm is triggered.

5. (SBU) Smeele assured Emboffs that he understands fully the
prohibitions against unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports

THE HAGUE 00000368 002 OF 002

of United States Munitions List items. He said that ARLE
submits required reports annually to the Department and has
had no trouble complying with the USG's procedures. Smeele
said he maintains all ARLE sales and customer records on his
computer at his home office.

Gallagher

© Scoop Media