MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

STATEMENT BY NICHOLAS BURNS, SPOKESMAN
April 16, 1997

Ten years ago today (April 16, 1987), the United States and its G-7
partners -- Canada, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy,
Japan, and the United Kingdom -- announced formation of the Missile
Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to restrict transfers of
nuclear-capable missiles and related technology. In the intervening
years, 21 additional countries have joined the MTCR, several other
countries have adhered unilaterally to the MTCR Guidelines, and the
Regime's scope has been expanded to cover unmanned delivery systems
capable of carrying all types of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) --
chemical and biological weapons, as well as nuclear.

Over the course of the Regime's ten-year history, the MTCR Guidelines
and Annex have become the international standard for responsible
missile-related export behavior, and the Regime has made important
strides in slowing missile proliferation worldwide. The establishment
by MTCR member and adherent countries of missile-related export
controls has significantly reduced the availability of equipment and
technology to missile programs of proliferation concern. Moreover, the
MTCR has facilitated international cooperation in halting transfers of
potential missile proliferation concern. The Regime's efforts also
have led to a reduction in the global inventory of WMD-capable
missiles.

On the occasion of the Regime's tenth anniversary, the United States
salutes the MTCR as an outstanding example of international
cooperation that has helped to make the world safer for all peoples.
At the same time, however, we recognize that much work remains to be
done. We face the challenge of extending MTCR export controls to all
potential suppliers and transshipment points, and of eliminating
missile programs of proliferation concern. The United States' national
security interests therefore demand that we continue to place a high
priority on curbing global missile proliferation. As we have done
since 1987, the United States will work through the MTCR as the
primary means of achieving these objectives.

The United States looks forward to continued close cooperation with
the other members of the MTCR to persuade key supplier countries to
restrain missile-related exports, to increase the MTCR's outreach and
transparency to nonmembers, and to encourage additional support for
the Regime's missile nonproliferation efforts. The United States
encourages the unilateral adherence of all countries to the MTCR
Guidelines in the interest of international peace and security.

The following is a list of MTCR Partner countries: Argentina,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, South Africa,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.

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