NCJ Number
190371
Date Published
2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This report discusses acquisition of technology relating to weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions during the period July 1 through December 31, 2000.
Abstract
The report summarized by country of acquisition activities (solicitations, negotiations, contracts, and deliveries) related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) that occurred from July 1 through December 31, 2000. The report discussed Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Syria, Sudan, India, Pakistan, and Egypt. It summarizes the countries' efforts to acquire technology and material from abroad as well as domestic research and development efforts. It also discussed the key suppliers of goods and technology: Russia, North Korea, and China. Iran and Libya continued to approach entities in Western Europe to provide needed acquisitions for their WMD and missile programs. Increasingly rigorous and effective export controls and cooperation among supplier countries have led the other foreign WMD and missile programs to look elsewhere for many controlled dual-use goods. Machine tools, spare parts for dual-use equipment, and widely available materials, scientific equipment, and specialty metals were the most common items sought. Several Western countries announced their willingness to negotiate ACW sales to Libya. The report concluded that countries determined to maintain WMD and missile programs over the long term had been placing significant emphasis on increased self-sufficiency and attempts to insulate their programs against interdiction and disruption, as well as trying to reduce their dependence on imports by developing domestic production capabilities. Private companies, scientists, and engineers in Russia, China, and India may be increasing their involvement in WMD- and missile-related assistance, taking advantage of weak or unenforceable national export controls and the growing availability of technology.