14 October 1999
Source:
US Department of State
International Information Programs
Washington File
_________________________________
13 October 1999
(Experts still resolving key details of the agreement, Rubin says) (530) The United States and Canada are finalizing the details of an agreement that will significantly harmonize the two countries' controls on defense-related exports, U.S. State Department spokesman James Rubin announced October 12. "We have reached substantial agreement in principle" that Canada will strengthen its defense export controls and control all items now on the U.S. Munitions List, while the United States will revise its regulations to permit the export to Canada of most defense technology without a license, Rubin said. The agreement is designed to protect against illegal retransfers of controlled defense technology from North America, while maintaining "the unique, integrated North American defense industrial base which has served both our defense and security interests so well since WWII," he said. Following is the text of the statement: (begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman October 12, 1999 STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN CANADA: JOINT STATEMENT ON DEFENSE EXPORT CONTROLS AND NORTH AMERICAN DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE Since April, our two governments have engaged in extensive consultations to address our mutual security interest in a strong North American perimeter for defense export controls. We share a common commitment to protect against illegal retransfers of controlled U.S. and Canadian defense technology from North America. We also share a very strong commitment to maintaining the unique, integrated North American defense industrial base which has served both our defense and security interests so well since WWII. We have reached substantial agreement in principle to implement steps that will allow our two countries to advance both objectives. We have worked to ensure that the defense trade control regulations, practices and enforcement of both nations continue to provide harmonized control of defense technologies both nations require to be controlled. -- Canada has proposed a regulatory approach that would strengthen its own defense export controls, similar to the U.S. licensing controls under its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Under this regulatory approach, Canada would control all items on the U.S. Munitions List. -- The U.S. will revise its own defense trade control regulations to permit the export to Canada of most defense technology without a license. In fact, should U.S. defense trade control concerns be fully met by Canada, the U.S. is prepared to reinstate many of the provisions affected by its April 12 ITAR amendment and, in some cases, enhance the Canadian exemption to permit additional exports without a license, beyond those impacted by its April 12 ITAR amendment. In this manner, our two governments believe they will successfully continue to protect the integrity of the North American defense perimeter while strengthening the North American defense industrial base. Agreement in principle has been reached on most issues under negotiation. Expert-level work is continuing in order to resolve the key details that remain, in an expeditious manner. Both our governments are committed to reaching full agreement, consistent with our respective national laws and policies. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)