07/24/96
TEXT: STATE DEPT. ENDS ARMS SALE RESTRICTIONS FOR 6 NATIONS
(Six states of former Soviet Union named) (370)

Washington -- The United States has ended restrictions on defense
trade with Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan, the State Department announced.

The countries have been removed from the International Traffic in Arms
Regulations (ITAR) proscribed list.

"This action will provide new opportunities for U.S. exporters, and
advances the process of normalization of relations that has taken
place since the end of the Cold War," the announcement said.

Following is the text of the July 24 State Department announcement:

(Begin text)

The Department of State has ended, effective July 17, restrictions on
defense trade with Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan by removing them from the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) proscribed list.  Russia was
removed from the proscribed list April 3.  The status of the other New
Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union on the proscribed
list is currently under review in the State Department.

In connection with the administration's policy that U.S. laws and
regulations be updated to reflect the end of the Cold War, the
Department of State is amending the ITAR to reflect that it is no
longer the policy of the United States to deny licenses or other
approvals for exports and imports of defense articles and defense
services destined for or originating in Georgia, Kazakstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.  All requests for
licenses or other approvals for these states involving items covered
by the U.S. Munitions List will no longer be presumed to be
disapproved.  Any applications for such transactions will, of course,
be analyzed carefully on a case-by-case basis by the relevant U.S.
government agencies to ensure that they conform to U.S. law and policy
objectives.

There are a number of areas related to military equipment, defense
services, and the technology in which trade with these states will now
be possible.  This action will provide new opportunities for U.S.
exporters, and advances the process of normalization of relations that
has taken place since the end of the Cold War.

(End text)
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