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