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Wassenaar Arrangement On Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technology

VIENNA, DECEMBER 3, 1998

PUBLIC STATEMENT
[Issued by the Wassenaar Arrangement] 

  1. The fourth Plenary meeting of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) was held December 2-3, 1998 under the chairmanship of Ambassador Staffan Sohlman (Sweden).
  2. The Plenary took note of the work carried out in 1998. Participating States considered a number of issues relevant to the WA’s purposes, including information on: arms and sensitive technology flows to regions in conflict or otherwise of concern; issues related to specific projects, programs and end-users of concern; and on diversions and unauthorised transshipments. Participating States also examined global arms import trends and sensitive emerging technologies.
  3. Participating States noted with satisfaction the increasing amount of information being exchanged in the WA, allowing them more effectively to develop common understandings of the risks associated with the transfer of arms or sensitive dual-use goods and technologies. The information exchange process is designed to help Participating States achieve the purposes of the WA, inter alia, to promote transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilizing accumulations. On the basis of information exchanged, Participating States assess the scope for coordinating national control policies to combat the risks associated with transfers. The WA will seek in 1999 to enhance further the value and effectiveness of its information exchange.
  4. The WA in 1999 will undertake its first assessment of the overall functioning of the Arrangement, as specified in the Initial Elements. Participating States approved the basic scope and procedures for the assessment.
  5. Participating States discussed arms flows to a number of regions where conflict is occurring. Participating States are committed to exercising, as a matter of national policy, maximum restraint when considering licenses for the export of arms and sensitive dual-use items to all destinations where the risks are judged greatest, in particular to regions in conflict, and to maintaining national policies consistent with the purposes and objectives of the WA and with relevant decisions adopted by United Nations Security Council and/or other international organizations to which the Participating States may belong.
  6. Participating States approved a study paper on criteria for assessing destabilizing weapons accumulations entitled, "Elements for Objective Analysis and Advice Concerning Potentially Destabilizing Accumulations of Conventional Weapons." This document, with an explanatory note, is attached.
  7. The Plenary authorized further work in the Wassenaar Arrangement on arms transparency, building on the work already undertaken, recognizing the requirement to assess in 1999 the overall functioning of the WA based upon the relevant provisions of the Initial Elements, including paragraph II.5, and the goals of the WA.
  8. The WA agreed control list amendments to take into account recent technological developments. The amendments to the lists included elimination of coverage of commonly available civil telecommunications equipment as well as the modernization of encryption controls to keep pace with developing technology and electronic commerce, while also being mindful of security interests. Participating States also discussed the potential need for the WA and national export control authorities to respond quickly and effectively to the emergence of new technologies.
  9. Participating States acknowledged initiatives undertaken in other fora that could be relevant to the WA’s objectives. The WA will seek to maintain or establish appropriate contacts with such fora, in order to advance mutual goals and interests and to avoid duplication of effort.
  10. The Wassenaar Arrangement welcomed the October 31 Declaration of a Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Light Weapons by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) member states. Participating States will undertake an appropriate collaborative role with ECOWAS member states to respect the provisions of the Moratorium and will be open to providing advisory and/or technical assistance in the implementation of the Moratorium.
  11. In view of the significant negative impact that excessive accumulations of small arms and light weapons have had in recent, largely sub-national conflicts, and the relevance this has to the WA's objectives, Participating States recognized the importance of implementing responsible export policies and maintaining effective export controls with respect to small arms and light weapons. In particular, they affirmed the importance of exercising vigilance over any transfers of small arms and light weapons to areas of conflict and to prevent their diversion to such areas.

    12. Participating States recognized the utility of exchanging information on issues such as diversionary routes and end-users as a means of helping national enforcement authorities to reduce illicit arms trafficking.

    Participating States have taken note of the efforts of a number of international fora that are seeking to contribute to the prevention of excessive accumulations of small arms and light weapons. To increase mutual understanding and to avoid duplication of effort, the WA will be active in communicating to other relevant fora Participating States’ commitment to responsible transfer policies and effective export controls on small arms and light weapons. The WA invites other fora to provide relevant information on their activities to the WA.

  12. The Participating States confirm that they share the concerns regarding the threat to civil aviation posed by the illicit possession of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and recognize the need for appropriate measures to prevent such possession. In this connection, the Participating States have agreed to continue the discussion of this issue. In particular, they will consider their national practices and possibly develop guidelines and will report the results of this work to the 1999 Plenary. The Participating States call on all the non-participating end-user States to strengthen their national controls on MANPADS in order to avoid their unauthorised possession and use.
  13. Participating States examined technical aspects of their export controls, such as controls on the most sensitive dual-use items, end-use assurances and disposal of surplus military equipment. These discussions are designed to assist Participating States to bring their export controls on arms and sensitive dual-use items to the most effective levels possible.
  14. Participating States exchanged views on means to promote, through their outreach contacts with non-Participating States, global adherence to responsible policies and effective controls with respect to international non-proliferation objectives and arms and dual-use transfers. The Plenary reaffirmed that the Wassenaar Arrangement is open, on a global and non-discriminatory basis, to prospective adherents that comply with the agreed criteria.
  15. In 1998, the WA completed its secretariat structure by appointing Ambassador Luigi Lauriola (Italy) as the Head of the Secretariat of the Wassenaar Arrangement.

     The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies was established in July 1996 by 33 Participating States. Meetings are held in Vienna, Austria, where the Arrangement is based.

    The Participating States of the Wassenaar Arrangement are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States.

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