Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE670
2009-11-04 12:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS: BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY, RON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0012 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0670 3081218 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041218Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3445 INFO RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000670
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY, RON
SMEELE, CASE NO. K-1683
REF: A. STATE 94263
B. THE HAGUE 368
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000670
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY, RON
SMEELE, CASE NO. K-1683
REF: A. STATE 94263
B. THE HAGUE 368
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Post has confirmed that Ron Smeele's company Applied
Research Laboratory Europe (ARLE) is a bona fide
broker/recipient of United States Munitions List (USML)
items. Embassy officials conducted a site visit of ARLE in
April 2008 as part of an application check. As reported ref
B, the result of that visit was positive. However, provisos
were subsequently added to ARLE's licenses that the company
may not handle or store USML commodities. This proviso has
adversely affected ARLE's business as well as U.S.
manufacturers that sell their products through ARLE to the
Dutch military and law enforcement market. Post believes the
provisos are not warranted and should be removed from ARLE's
licenses.
2. (SBU) EconOff visited ARLE's new office and storage site
on October 30, 2009. The new location is Losplaats 14-16,
Uden 5404NJ, the Netherlands. The facility is adequate for
storing USML items. ARLE prefers to send products directly
to its government end-use customers (mostly Dutch military
and law enforcement authorities). However, ARLE does need to
keep a small quantity of products at its secure facility for
demonstration purposes to potential customers. The are
several layers of security protecting each item ARLE stores:
-- The office building is discreet, nothing would indicate
sensitive items are stored there.
-- The building's front door is protected by a lock and alarm
system.
-- There are motion detectors in the building's hallways.
-- The fireproof door to the secure storage room in the
basement is steel reinforced with several horizonal and
vertical bolts.
-- An alarm is triggered if the door is opened.
-- Directly behind the door is a heavy-duty locked metal gate.
-- Inside the room, all sensitive items are stored in a Smith
and Wesson professional grade safe.
-- All security components were installed by the Dutch
subsidiary of international security firm Chubb.
-- Chubb also provides ongoing security services at the
premises. Any alarm would notify a local patrol to
investigate.
3. (SBU) ARLE has recently hired a second employee. Both he
and ARLE's director Ron Smeele are veterans of Dutch police
SWAT teams. They fully understand and comply with
restrictions on USML items. Smeele continues to work with
U.S. manufacturers of night vision equipment and chemical,
biological, radioactive, nuclear (CBRN) protective gear to
source the best U.S. products for government end-users.
LEVIN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: BLUE LANTERN BROKER INQUIRY, RON
SMEELE, CASE NO. K-1683
REF: A. STATE 94263
B. THE HAGUE 368
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Post has confirmed that Ron Smeele's company Applied
Research Laboratory Europe (ARLE) is a bona fide
broker/recipient of United States Munitions List (USML)
items. Embassy officials conducted a site visit of ARLE in
April 2008 as part of an application check. As reported ref
B, the result of that visit was positive. However, provisos
were subsequently added to ARLE's licenses that the company
may not handle or store USML commodities. This proviso has
adversely affected ARLE's business as well as U.S.
manufacturers that sell their products through ARLE to the
Dutch military and law enforcement market. Post believes the
provisos are not warranted and should be removed from ARLE's
licenses.
2. (SBU) EconOff visited ARLE's new office and storage site
on October 30, 2009. The new location is Losplaats 14-16,
Uden 5404NJ, the Netherlands. The facility is adequate for
storing USML items. ARLE prefers to send products directly
to its government end-use customers (mostly Dutch military
and law enforcement authorities). However, ARLE does need to
keep a small quantity of products at its secure facility for
demonstration purposes to potential customers. The are
several layers of security protecting each item ARLE stores:
-- The office building is discreet, nothing would indicate
sensitive items are stored there.
-- The building's front door is protected by a lock and alarm
system.
-- There are motion detectors in the building's hallways.
-- The fireproof door to the secure storage room in the
basement is steel reinforced with several horizonal and
vertical bolts.
-- An alarm is triggered if the door is opened.
-- Directly behind the door is a heavy-duty locked metal gate.
-- Inside the room, all sensitive items are stored in a Smith
and Wesson professional grade safe.
-- All security components were installed by the Dutch
subsidiary of international security firm Chubb.
-- Chubb also provides ongoing security services at the
premises. Any alarm would notify a local patrol to
investigate.
3. (SBU) ARLE has recently hired a second employee. Both he
and ARLE's director Ron Smeele are veterans of Dutch police
SWAT teams. They fully understand and comply with
restrictions on USML items. Smeele continues to work with
U.S. manufacturers of night vision equipment and chemical,
biological, radioactive, nuclear (CBRN) protective gear to
source the best U.S. products for government end-users.
LEVIN