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Missile Meeting to Discuss Chinese Membership By Mike Nartker WASHINGTON — China’s possible entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime is likely to be a key topic of discussion during the regime’s annual plenary meeting, scheduled to begin today in Seoul (see GSN, Aug. 9). The regime is a multilateral export control system that seeks to establish common rules for exporting ballistic missiles and related technologies. During this week’s meeting, which continues through Friday, representatives from the regime’s 34 members will discuss “the state of the missile world,” a U.S. State Department official said. Describing that “state” as a “mixed picture,” the official noted the success achieved this year in implementing Libya’s decision last year to eliminate its MTCR-class missiles — those capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload to a range of at least 300 kilometers. Since renouncing weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, Libya has eliminated its Scud C missiles and has agreed to dismantle its stockpile of Scud B missiles (see GSN, Sept. 23). The State Department official said, though, that concerns persist regarding the ballistic missile efforts of Iran and North Korea, including Pyongyang’s continued exports of missile-related technologies. Iran recently tested its Shahab 3 nuclear-capable missile, which reportedly has a range of 2,000 kilometers (see GSN, Sept. 22). In addition, there have been signs of greater North Korean missile activity, including at sites designed to launch Rodong and Taepodong 2 missiles, which have respective estimated ranges of 1,300 kilometers and up to 6,000 kilometers (see GSN, Sept. 27). Members of the Missile Technology Control Regime, which launched in 1987, agree to implement similar export controls on missiles and related technologies. Under the regime’s guidelines, members agree to use a “strong presumption of denial” for exports in Category 1 of the regime’s annex, including complete missile systems capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload to a range of at least 300 kilometers and related production facilities. Exports of items on Category 2 of the annex, which includes missile-related items and technologies and some other missile systems, are considered on a case-by-case basis. One key topic likely to be discussed at the meeting is China, which is seeking to become a regime member. Chinese and MTCR officials have held several sets of talks this year on China’s application, which would have to be approved by all regime members. While China has worked in recent years to strengthen its domestic export control regulations, there are continued concerns about Beijing’s record of enforcement. Such concerns were highlighted last week with the imposition of U.S. sanctions against the China New Era Group for allegedly making what the State Department official described then as a “material contribution” to a foreign country’s WMD-capable missile program (see GSN, Oct. 1). “I think China has a ways to go before they’ve demonstrated the willingness and the ability to control such exports,” Richard Speier, a former U.S. Defense Department official who helped to negotiate the regime, said in a written message to Global Security Newswire. The apparent timing of the sanctions to this week’s MTCR meeting could be an indication of U.S. concerns over China’s membership in the regime, said Wade Boese of the Arms Control Association in Washington. The State Department official, however, denied any link between the sanctions and the meeting. China is not likely to be accepted into the regime this year, according to the official and outside experts. The State Department official declined to comment on the possible addition of other countries to the regime this year. Earlier this year, a former MTCR chairman said that several countries, including Belarus, Kazakhstan and Malaysia have expressed interest in developing closer ties to the regime. MTCR members are also expected to discuss proposals for new additions to the regime’s control list, the State Department official said. While not providing details on what types of items may be proposed, the official said there would be “no unifying theme” to the possible additions. There are also set to be information exchanges on known proliferators, as well as a meeting of experts on export control enforcement, the official said.
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