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WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department will remove 51 Indian entities from
the list of entities originally sanctioned in 1998 in response to the detonations
of nuclear explosive devices by India and Pakistan, Commerce Assistant Secretary
for Export Administration R. Roger Majak announced. The changes will take
effect after a rule is published in the Federal Register.
The action is based on a consensus decision by the Administration to more
tightly focus the sanctions on those Indian entities most directly involved
in proliferation activities of concern.
Removal of the entities will make it easier for them to obtain U.S. goods and technology -- especially non-sensitive products that ordinarily to do not require an export license for India. The U.S. policy of denial for dual-use items controlled for nuclear and missile technology reasons to all Indian and Pakistani entities remains unchanged, however.
Recent Congressional action supports today’s decision. The FY 2000 Defense Appropriations Act includes language that it is the sense of Congress that the list of nearly 300 Indian and Pakistani sanctioned entities is too broad and requires refinement. The Act also states that it is the sense of Congress that exports only of items that make material contributions to weapons of mass destruction and missile programs should be restricted.
Today’s action involves no changes in the items subject to sanctions -- which includes many routine items -- for entities remaining on the list. The Administration will continue to review both the list of sanctioned entities and products, and may make additional changes.
A list of the 51 entities covered by today’s decision is attached.
In April of 2002 the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) changed its name to the Bureau of Industry and Security(BIS). For historical purposes we have not changed the references to BXA in the legacy documents found in the Archived Press and Public Information.