ACCESSION NUMBER:226197
FILE ID:TX-103
DATE:05/04/92
TITLE:EDITORIAL: MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGION (460) (05/04/92)
TEXT:*92050403.TXT
EDITORIAL: MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGION (460)
(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America May 4,
reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)
1raqi Scud missile attacks against Israel and Saudi Arabia in last year's
Persian Gulf war demonstrated the threat posed by the proliferation of
ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.
Aside from the death and destruction they can cause when armed with
conventional explosives, ballistic missiles are suited to the delivery of
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. And unlike manned aircraft,
missiles cannot be recalled once they are launched.
As President George Bush has stressed, the United States is committed to
stopping the spread of ballistic missiles. One way that responsible
members of the international community are trying to stop this spread is
through the Missile Technology Control Regime. The United States and six
other countries formed the regime in April 1987. Since that time it has
grown to 19 countries, with more expected to join soon. The members of the
regime have agreed to follow export guidelines covering a variety of items
useful in the development of ballistic missiles. The regime seeks to limit
the spread of ballistic missiles capable of delivering first-generation
nuclear warheads, that is, missiles that can carry payloads of 500
kilograms a distance of at least 300 kilometers.
In addition to the countries that have joined the Missile Technology Control
Regime, several other key countries have agreed to place similar
restrictions on their missile-technology exports. These countries include
Russia, Argentina, Israel, China and several of the new East European
democracies.
Recently, China formally pledged that it would abide by the guidelines of
the Missile Technology Control Regime. Less than a year ago, in June 1991,
the United States imposed sanctions on China because of China's transfer of
ballistic missiles to Pakistan. The United States lifted the sanctions as
a result of China's promise to apply the Missile Technology Control Regime
guidelines to all missile and missile technology transfers. China also
specifically agreed not to transfer its M-9 and M-11 ballistic missiles.
Countries such as Syria, Iran and Pakistan had expressed interest in these
missiles. The United States urges China to live up to its commitment to
abide by the guidelines of the Missile Technology Control Regime. North
Korea is now the only significant missile-exporting country which has not
joined the regime or adopted its guidelines.
The spread of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the ballistic missiles
that can deliver them, remains a menace to international peace. As U.S.
Secretary of State James Baker recently said, "Only by constant, concerted
vigilance -- the sort of vigilance that brought us victory in the Cold War
-- can we ensure...international security."
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