Title:  "US Sanctions Imposed on Russian, Indian Space Groups." State Department statement announcing the imposing of sanctions against the Russian space organization Glavkosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization because of the transfer of rocket engine technology. (920511)

Date:  19920511

Text:
U.S. SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON RUSSIAN, INDIAN SPACE GROUPS

(Text: Boucher statement on sanctions) (480) Washington -- The United States has imposed sanctions against the Russian space organization Glavkosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) because of the transfer of rocket engine technology, says State Department deputy spokesman Richard Boucher.

The transfer, he said in a statement issued May 11, "is inconsistent with" Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines. Boucher said the sanctions against the two entities include a two-year ban on all U.S. licensed exports, on all imports into the United States, and on U.S. government contracts.

"Our principal objective...is to obtain the broadest possible international cooperation in curbing the dangerous proliferation of missile technology," the deputy spokesman said.

Following is the text of Boucher's statement: (begin text) For some time the United States and other member countries of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) have been involved in discussions -- first with the former Soviet government and now with the Russian government -- about the serious concerns we have with the transfer of rocket engine technology from Glavkosmos to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). We have also been discussing our concerns directly with the Indian government.

The MTCR guidelines provide the international standard for such matters. The MTCR partners all have concluded that the Glavkosmos-ISRO deal is inconsistent with the MTCR guidelines. That is why they have urged that this deal not go through.

For its part, the United States in its own discussions with Russia and India has also made clear that U.S. law requires sanctions against entities engaged in activities inconsistent with MTCR guidelines. Since the facts are clear and since the parties to the transaction have declined to terminate these activities, the United States has imposed sanctions in accordance with our law. The sanctions are:

-- A two-year ban on all U.S. licensed exports to these entities (i.e., Glavkosmos and ISRO);

-- A two-year ban on all imports into the United States from these entities; and

-- A two-year ban on U.S. government contracts with these entities. We are continuing to pursue discussion of this issue with both governments. We have explained to both governments that termination of the Glavkosmos-ISRO deal could permit us to consider a waiver of these sanctions.

Our principal objective -- and it is one that is shared by all of our partners in the MTCR -- is to obtain the broadest possible international cooperation in curbing the dangerous proliferation of missile technology. We want to work with all countries in this effort. We want Russia and India to be important contributors to this effort. And we are going to continue to work along those lines with them and to urge that they respond to international concern by halting the Glavkosmos-ISRO deal.

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