[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 23310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11533]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3657]


Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; Denial Policy of Munitions 
Export Licenses to Afghanistan

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that all licenses and other approvals 
to export or otherwise transfer defense articles or defense services to 
the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control will continue to be 
denied pursuant to section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and 
in accordance with section 5 of the UN Participation Act (UNPA) and 
E.O. 12918 and the long standing policy of the United States to deny 
exports of all defense articles and defense services to Afghanistan.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 8, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Sweeney, Munitions Control 
Analyst, Office of Defense Trade Controls, Bureau of Political-Military 
Affairs, Department of State (202) 633-2700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. has had a policy of denial in place 
for licenses and other approvals for exports/transfers of defense 
articles and services to Afghanistan, which is listed in Section 126.1 
(see 61 FR 33313). However, a new U.N. Security Council Resolution 
(UNSCR) mandates an arms embargo against the territory of Afghanistan 
under Taliban control. This notice hereby informs the public of the 
U.S. implementation of these prohibitions through this notice, 
including the continuation of the policy of denial for this territory.
    Areas of Afghanistan under control of the Taliban are being used 
for sheltering and training of terrorists and planning terrorist acts. 
Also, the Taliban provides a safehaven for Usama bin Laden. Because of 
these activities, the United Nations Security Council adopted 
Resolution 1333 (December 19, 2000). This resolution requires that all 
States prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer to the 
territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control, by their nationals or 
from their territories, or using flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and 
related material of all types, including weapons and ammunition, 
military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts 
of the aforementioned. Also, the resolution requires States to prevent 
the direct or indirect sale, supply and transfer to the territory of 
Afghanistan under Taliban control by their nationals or from their 
territories of technical advice, assistance, or training related to the 
military activities of the armed personnel under control of the 
Taliban. The UN arms embargo has limited exceptions for non-lethal 
military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use 
if approved in advance by an established Committee of the Security 
Council.
    In accordance with 22 CFR 126.1, the U.S. Government will continue 
its policy to deny all applications for licenses and other approvals to 
export or otherwise transfer defense articles and services to 
Afghanistan, including the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban 
control. This action also continues to preclude the use in connection 
with this territory of any exemptions from licensing or other approval 
(e.g. brokering) requirements available under the International Traffic 
in Arms Regulations.
    Under the terms of UNSCR 1333, the U.N. arms embargo of the 
territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control will expire on December 
19, 2001 unless it is extended by the U.S. Security Council. However, 
the measures specified in this notice and the policy of denial for 
Afghanistan will remain in effect until a subsequent notice is 
published in the Federal Register.
    This action has been taken pursuant to Section 38 of the AECA (22 
U.S.C. 2778) and Sec. 126.7 of the International Traffic in Arms 
Regulations in furtherance of the foreign policy of the United States, 
and in accordance with Section 5 of the UNPA (22 U.S.C. 287(c)) and 
E.O. 12918.

    Dated: April 30, 2001.
Gregory M. Suchan,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 01-11533 Filed 5-7-01; 8:45 am]
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