BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY ON MARK A. DECOSTER,

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001529

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE AND PM/DTCC:RJOUBERT-LIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC BE
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY ON MARK A. DECOSTER,
CASE NO. K-2158

REF: SECSTATE 94230


1. Summary. Pursuant to reftel request, Polintern met with
Marc A. Decoster, president of Life Support Consulting, on 7
October 2009. The interview was not conducted at Decoster's
place of business, because Decoster conducts his business out
of his home, through his computer and mobile phone. Life
Support Consulting is a small business that assists European
government entities in buying protective and detective
products (i.e. suits and detection devices) for civil defense
and military purposes. The business also assists with making
sure paperwork documenting sales transactions is processed
correctly and coordinates transportation of products from
manufacturer to buyer. Aside from the equipment mentioned,
Marc Decoster also works in medical supplies consulting. End
Summary.


2. Life Support Consulting possesses a standard business
license from the Belgian government. According to the
Belgian Government, neither Decoster nor Life Support
Consulting has a license to sell or broker military items.
As a consultant, Decoster contends he is not required to have
such a license. Life Support Consulting does not buy, sell,
handle or store any products on behalf of its clients.
Decoster said that his registration with the State Department
was requested by his clients.


3. Life Support Consulting was officially established in
2006 by Marc Decoster. The company's principals are
Decoster's son and daughter, Dimitry F.D. Decoster and
Natalie G.G. Decoster. Marc is the company's only employee
but expects to hire his son in 2010. Although a relatively
new company, Decoster has over 30 years of experience in
detection of and protective techniques related to chemical,
biological, and nuclear contaminants.


4. Life Support Consulting is essentially a consultant to
the American companies CMS Field Products and OI-Corporation,
who seek to sell their products to European government
entities such as the French Government, Belgian National
Police, the National Police of Netherlands, and the
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Decoster mentioned that the products his clients sell are
used in efforts to remove and neutralize active chemical
weapons that remain in the Belgian countryside from World War

I.


5. Decoster said that he and his company understand the
restrictions on USML items, including those relating to
unauthorized re-transfers and re-exports. Decoster did not
request any further clarification of the restrictions.


6. Comment. Post notes that the telephone number for Marc
Decoster in reftel is incorrect. His correct phone number in
Belgium is: 322 306 4173. End Comment.

GUTMAN
.