[MarcusBrutus]

For a man, a brothel operator, a private detective, or a drugs purveyor would make more sense for blackmail. How would a waiter in a nondescript location gain access to information that would allow him to blackmail? It's not like the hotel was placed near a military base or was frequented by diplomats or generals. Not to mention placing tapping devices in the Queen's furniture. The story, as presented, does not compute.

[BickNowstrom]

Karl Koch and his buddies were recruited by a KGB spy posing as a casino croupier in exchange for gambling money and cocaine.

A hotel waiter or a concierge is in the perfect position to mingle with the rich and powerful.

Upper class people use hotels for extra-marital affairs and business trips in unknown cities. You do not need a first degree connection with the military to get an in.

The bar of a famous Dutch hotel was known to be frequented by American spies and drug agents looking to ensnare peons of the local drug maffia, working their way up from there.

[swatkat]

>>>> Not to mention placing tapping devices in the Queen's furniture.

They didn't actually placed tapping devices in the Queen's furniture. From the article:

One of his first ideas was to try planting listening devices in the Queen's furniture, he recalls, though he and his bosses realised it was technically unrealistic.

[quirkafleeg]

I think he knows that, but that part you quoted didn't make sense to him, since how would Van Haarlem even be in a position to access the Queen's furniture, merely working down the road from Buckingham Palace?

(At least that's what I thought when reading it anyway.)

[MarcusBrutus]

Yep, obviously.