Federal Register: August 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 166)
DOCID: FR Doc 05-17122
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
State Department
CFR Citation: 22 CFR Part 126
DOCUMENT ID: [Public Notice: 5177]
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: International Traffic in Arms regulations:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Section 126.1(i)
DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective on August 29, 2005.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This rule amends the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by modifying the denial policy regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at 22 CFR 126.1. This action is taken in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1596, unanimously adopted on April 18, 2005, which imposed a nationwide embargo on arms sales or transfers to any recipient in the DRC. It represents an expansion of the policy issued under UNSCR 1493, which on July 28, 2003, imposed an embargo on the sale of arms, related materials, and defense services in the provinces of North and South Kivu and the Ituri District in the DRC.
SUMMARY:
Congo; denial policy modification,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
On April 18, 2005, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1596 to expand the embargo of UNSCR 1493 (2003) on the export of arms and related material, as well as defense services, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Additionally, Resolution 1596 imposed a travel ban and an asset freeze on those who violate the expanded arms embargo, and mandated governments in the region to implement measures to monitor aircraft. This final rule amends Section 126.1(i) of the ITAR, 22 CFR 126.1(i), which details the export and sales policy of the United States with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to reflect the United Nations Security Council's expanded mandate. This amendment to Section 126.1(i) becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Please note that, as of April 18, 2005 (prior to the effective date of this final rule), the substance of the measures set forth in UNSCR 1596 entered into effect in accordance with another provision of the ITAR, (Section 126.1(c)), 22 CFR 126.1(c).
It is the policy of the U.S. Government to deny all applications for licenses and other approvals and to suspend all existing licenses and authorizations to export or otherwise transfer defense articles and defense services to any geographic region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) except under the circumstances specified below.
UNSCR 1596 established several exemptions under which the embargo would not apply, namely:
(a) Supplies of arms and related materials or technical training
and assistance intended solely for the support of or use by units of
the army or police of the DRC that operate under the command of the
etatmajor integre, have completed the process of integration (if
operating in the provinces of North or South Kivu or the Ituri
district), or are in the process of integration (if operating elsewhere in the DRC),
(b) Supplies of arms and related materials or technical training
and assistance intended solely for the support of or use by the United
Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and
(c) Supplies of nonlethal military equipment and related technical
assistance and training intended solely for humanitarian or protective
use, as notified in advance to the DRC Committee in accordance with paragraph 8 (e) of Resolution 1533 (2004).
All future shipments of arms and related materials consistent with such exemptions noted in subparagraph (a) above shall only be made to receiving sites as designated by the Government of National Unity and Transition, in coordination with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and notified in advance to the DRC Committee.
As previously noted on the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls Web site, http://www.pmdtc.org, effective April 18, 2005, no application for the export to the DRC of defense articles or services covered by the ITAR will be approved. Exceptions to this policy will be made (in accordance with the ITAR) on a casebycase basis for proposed exports that conform to the conditions specified in (a) through (c) above. Any existing license for authorization for the export to any geographic region of the DRC of ITARcontrolled defense articles or services is suspended as of April 18, 2005. Holders of existing licenses and authorizations for such exports to the DRC who wish to request lifting of the suspension must submit documentation in support of an exception for review by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).
Regulatory Analysis and Notices
This amendment involves a foreign affairs function of the United
States and, therefore, is not subject to the procedures required by 5
U.S.C. 553 and 554. It is exempt from review under Executive Order
12866 but has been reviewed internally by the Department to ensure
consistency with the purposes thereof. This rule does not require
analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act. It has been found not to be a major rule within the meaning
of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It
will not have substantial direct effects on the States, the relationship
[[Page 50967]]
between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
Therefore, it is determined that this rule does not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant application of consultation
provisions of Executive Orders 12372 and 13132. This rule does not
impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 126
Arms and munitions, Exports.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, title 22, chapter I, subchapter M, part 126 is amended as follows:
PART 126GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS
1. The authority citation for part 126 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 2, 38, 40, 42, and 71, Public Law 90629, 90
Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791, and 2797); E.O. 11958,
42 FR 4311; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 79; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C.
287c; E.O. 12918, 59 FR 28205, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 899; Sec. 1225, Public Law 108375.
2. Section 126.1 is amended by revising paragraph (i) to read as follows:
Sec. 126.1 Prohibited exports and sales to certain countries. * * * * *
(i) Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the policy of the
United States to deny licenses, other approvals, exports or imports of
defense articles and defense services destined for or originating in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo except for nonlethal equipment
and training (lethal and nonlethal) to the United Nations Organization
Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), the
transitional National Unity Government of the Democratic Republic of
the Congo and the integrated Congolese national army and police forces,
such units operating under the command of the etatmajor integre of the
Congolese Armed Forces or National Police, and such units in the
process of being integrated outside the provinces of North and South
Kivu and the Ituri district; and nonlethal equipment for humanitarian
or protective use, and related assistance and training, as notified in
advance to the UN. An arms embargo exists with respect to any recipient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Robert G. Joseph,
Under Secretary, Arms Control and International Security, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 0517122 Filed 82605; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 471025P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
James Juraska, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, Bureau of PoliticalMilitary Affairs, Department of State 2026632860.