[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 11281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3133]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5335]


Bureau of Political-Military Affairs: Suspension of Defense 
Export Licenses to Eritrea

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to section 38 of the 
Arms Export Control Act and effective as of September 12, 2005 all new 
applications for licenses and approvals of defense articles and 
services for the export or transfer to Eritrea under the Arms Export 
Control Act (AECA) are suspended. An exception is made for such items 
that support U.S. anti-terrorism and de-mining programs, are necessary 
to meet U.S. commitments under international conventions, and are 
necessary for United Nations and other appropriate peacekeeping 
personnel and operation. Licenses and approvals authorized prior to 
September 12, 2005 continue to be valid.

DATES: Effective Date: September 12, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Juraska, Office of Defense 
Trade Controls Policy, Department of State, Telephone (202) 663-22860 
or FAX (202) 261-8199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is the policy of the U.S. Government, 
effective as of September 12, 2005 to suspend all licenses and 
approvals for the export or transfer to Eritrea of defense articles and 
services. An exception is made allowing for the export or transfer to 
Eritrea of defense articles and defense services which support U.S. 
anti-terrorism, counter-terrorism, and de-mining programs, are 
necessary for United Nations and other appropriate peacekeeping 
operations, are necessary to meet U.S. commitments under international 
conventions, or that are temporary exports of protective clothing, to 
include flak jackets and military helmets, for individual use by United 
Nations personnel, media representatives, and humanitarian and 
development workers.
    These actions are taken in accordance with Section 405(a)(13)(B) of 
the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act. Eritrea, designated a 
Country of Particular Concern by Secretary Powell in September 2004 for 
severe violations of religious freedom, continues to act egregiously to 
deny the rights of worshippers. Current practices include closing all 
churches but those officially sanctioned by the Government of the State 
of Eritrea (GSE), imprisonment of hundreds of worshippers without 
trial, detention of prisoners in metal shipping containers in the 
desert (punishment cells), and an ongoing denial from the GSE of any 
significant religious freedom problem. Despite the attempts of several 
U.S. officials, talks with senior GSE representatives have proved 
futile.
    Per Section 409 of the IRF Act, this ban will last for two years, 
unless expressly reauthorized, or unless the Secretary determines at an 
earlier date that the GSE ``has ceased or taken substantial and 
verifiable steps to cease the particularly severe violations of 
religious freedom.''
    The licenses and approvals for Eritrea subject to this policy 
include manufacturing licenses, technical assistance agreements, 
technical data, and all commercial exports of defense articles and 
services subject to the Arms Export Control Act, with the exclusion of 
those types of defense articles and services cited above. The foregoing 
includes any agreement that proposes Eritrea as a sales territory.
    Notwithstanding this new policy, authorizations granted prior to 
September 12, 2005 for the export or transfer to Eritrea of defense 
articles and services subject to the ITAR remain valid. The range of 
prior licenses and approvals for Eritrea that remain valid include 
manufacturing licenses, technical assistance agreements, technical 
data, and all commercial exports of defense articles and services 
subject to the Arms Export Control Act.
    This action is taken pursuant to Sections 38 and 42 of the Arms 
Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778, 2791) and Sec.  126.7 of the ITAR 
in furtherance of the foreign policy of the United States.

John Hillen,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Department 
of State.
[FR Doc. E6-3133 Filed 3-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-25-P