On May 5, 1998 Deputy Head of Administration of the President of Russia - Press - Secretary of the President of Russia S. Yastrzhembsky made the following statement:
SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICIALS ON RUSSIAN NONPROLIFERATION AND EXPORT CONTROL POLICIES
Part I
"The President of Russia has instructed the Government to work out a set of measures for improving the system of export control over military and dual purpose technologies.
The issue of export control over military and dual purpose technologies receives full attention of the President and the Government of the Russian Federation. Comprehensive state control is exercised in this area.
Reliable export control over military and dual purpose technologies is one of the highest priorities of the national security policy of the Russian Federation.
Military and dual purpose technologies constitute the national treasure of Russia, which has been created by successive generations of our people. Therefore the export control shall completely exclude any possibility of squandering unique domestic technologies, materials, parts, intellectual property, and prevent leaks of classified state and military data.
We undoubtedly take into account that this is an issue not only of national, but international security. The President stresses that our state will continue to support and comply with all international treaties and agreements in this area, especially regarding control over non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means.
This control can and must become a powerful tool for raising efficiency of the entire system of military and technical cooperation of Russia, an instrument for supporting and protecting the enterprises of the military-industrial complex."
Part II
On May 7, 1998 Russian Defense Minister I. Sergeev mad e the following statement:
Russian position on the issues of nonproliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery is a principled one and is unambiguously geared towards implementing unconditionally Russian international obligations in this area. Moreover, Russia, no less than other countries is aware of the dangerous consequences of violations of the nonproliferation regime, particularly when the countries situated in the proximity of the Russian borders are concerned.
Conceptual Document of National Security of the Russian Federation adopted by the Presidential Decree #1300 on December 17, 1997, clearly and unambiguously stipulates that proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, their production technologies and means of delivery, particularly in the countries bordering Russia and in the adjacent regions, constitutes a serious threat. Russia applies its policy of nonproliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery to whatever the country which may constitute a proliferation concern. This policy is based on Russia's security interests because proliferation of military technologies, WMDs and their means of delivery can in the long run undermine our own security.
As far as cooperation in other areas in concerned, in this field fully aware of our responsibility to implement international nonproliferation agreements signed by Russia, as well as Russian commitments under international export control regimes, we do not see any barriers to develop traditional cooperation in military technology with other countries including conventional arms sales. We intend to continue this kind of cooperation in accordance with existing agreements.
Part III
On May 6, 1998 N. Kovalev, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service made the following statement:
"In the interests of ensuing national security of the Russian Federation as well as fulfilling the international obligations of the country the Federal Security Service of Russia constantly focuses on activities in the field of control over non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of their delivery. These activities are aimed at prevention of illicit export of materials, including raw materials, equipment, technology, technical information and services which could be used in building weapons for mass destruction and means of their delivery.
Perpetrators of the international control regime in this filed must be aware that punishment is inevitable and measures pursued by international legal practices and Russian law will be strictly enforced.
Articles 188 and 189 of the Russian Criminal Code stipulate severe punishment - a sentence of three to seven years imprisonment - for illicit export of technology, technical information and services which could be used to build weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery. In cases when these crimes are committed repeatedly or by an official abusing his official position the punishment will be even tougher - five to ten years imprisonment.
There should be no doubts that the practical experience and traditions of our service will ensure a reliable protection of Russia's national interests and effective control over fulfillment of the obligations assumed in the field of control of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of their delivery."
[end]
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